24-04-2025
SMG wins big at WAN-IFRA
Star Media Group chief content officer Datin Paduka Esther Ng (in green) with deputy executive editor Sim Leoi Leoi, online editor Joseph Loh and executive editor, content design Tung Eng Hwa celebrating the Gold Award for best fact checking project at the WAN-IFRA Digital Media Awards (2025). — YAP CHEE HONG/The Star
KUALA LUMPUR: Recognised for its best fact-checking project, Star Media Group (SMG) bagged the Gold Award at WAN-IFRA Digital Media Awards (DMA) 2025.
Organised by the World Association of News Publishers (WAN-IFRA), the event has been a pivotal platform for transformation in the news media industry since its inception in 2009.
This year, it returned, bringing global media leaders to share innovations in digital revenue, artificial intelligence, and newsroom technology.
Star Media Group chief content officer Datin Paduka Esther Ng said the team's efforts have continued to contribute to The Star's recognition as a reputable news organisation.
'I'm so proud of our team. When we started this segment, we had no clue how to go about it or what topics to focus on daily.
'But as time went by, we realised readers really loved this segment and looked to us to tell them whether certain information was true or not.
'We decided to do this as we had already been identified as one of the topmost trusted brands, and this is a service we want to share with our readers.
'We make sure we include both hard and soft items to make it fun as well. I'm so happy we are on the right track,' she said.
Deputy executive editor Sim Leoi Leoi said the award is a reflection of the teamwork's effort and dedication in creating The Star Online's fact-check content.
'We would like to thank all the editors and reporters who have contributed to The Star Online's Quickcheck and True or Not stories and for their dedication to keeping it going,' she said.
Also winning an award was Astro Awani for Best Use of AI in a Newsroom in a small/medium media category.
Other gold winners are Hong Kong's South China Morning Post, Singapore's SPH Media The Straits Times, Taiwan's United Daily News Group, Australia's The Daily Aus, Singapore's CNA, Mediacorp, and Indonesia's IDN.
Read the award-winning stories here:
