ST: New ways to deliver good journalism?

I refer to the editor-in-chief’s article “Figuring out new ways to deliver good journalism” (Sunday Times, May 28).

It states that “Quality news is a public good critical to democracies, which rely on voters being well informed.

Herein then lies the most insidious form of fake news, the commingling of fact and fiction, truths and half-truths, rumours, speculation and plain lies, some of which get repeated so often that, after a while, many find it hard to distinguish what is real from what might have been and what never happened.

The upshot of these trends is this: Now, anyone can create and spread information – and misinformation – freely, cheaply, quickly, virally, and with almost complete immunity.

But at the heart of all these must remain a commitment to delivering quality journalism.

Put simply, good journalism is the purposeful pursuit of information, well sourced and verified, interpreted professionally and objectively, with a mission to help people make sense of the world around them, which is especially vital in an age of major disruption and rapid change.”

Press Freedom Ranking: 151st, up 3 notches?

In this connection, congratulations to Singapore’s Press Freedom Ranking 2017 increasing from 154th to 151st.

Historically, it had dropped one rank from its 2015’s 153rd ranking to 154th in Reporters Without Borders (RWB)’s 2016 World Press Freedom Index – which then placed the city state at its lowest ever rank in the index. The highest ever rank obtained by Singapore is 135th in 2012.

In this connection, I have compiled the following list of videos and articles that you may like to watch and read, to have a discerning perspective on the debate about what is or is not good journalism:-

“Video: 30 Anniversary Operation Spectrum – Maruah President Leong Sze Hian on Freedom of Expression” (May 21, 2017)

“Freedom of speech: S’pore in the eyes the world?” (Mar 17, 2017)

“ST’s 4.5 pages on water: No costs, revenues, profits?” (Mar 12, 2017)

““Water” Editorial underscores 154th Press Freedom ranking?” (Feb 26, 2017)

“Factchecker: The Independent Singapore / Leong Sze Hian / So Chee Hong Tat’s “credible and reliable news source” means keeping press suppressed at 154th?” (Feb 7, 2017)

“Credible and reliable news source”: 154th Press Freedom Ranking? (Jan 28, 2017)

“Who needs protection from “false information”?” (Jan 23, 2017)

“Back to the time when Press Freedom ranking was not 154th?” (Apr 12, 2016)

““150th” Press Freedom reporting vs the “real” statistics?” (Jul 14, 2014)

“Video: Hong Kong media interviews Leong Sze Hian on Press Freedom” (Jan 24, 2014)

“Best Straits Times Editorial ever in its history?” (Jun 16, 2013)

“leongszehian.com to shut down on 6th June 2013” (Jun 5, 2013)