SINGAPORE - Managing personal debt and building a retirement nest egg can often be complicated tasks for the man on the street to grasp, but these are some of the topics The Straits Times Invest has unpacked over the years.
The section bagged an award for media excellence in community investor education at the local Oscars of corporate governance and financial journalism on Tuesday (Oct 12).
Knowledge is the most valuable asset people have - not properties, shares and cash, said ST Invest editor Tan Ooi Boon.
"We want more people to invest in themselves and boost their financial literacy so that they choose and start building a sustainable lifestyle for themselves, based on what they can afford.
"You may have millions today but without a strong foundation, you can lose all tomorrow in a scam or risky investment, or have problems passing it on to the next generation because you miss out on some critical information," he added.
ST editor Warren Fernandez said the news outlet has placed more emphasis on its Invest content.
"We did this as our data showed strong interest from our readers in content that helps them figure out how to make their money work harder and how to avoid pitfalls they might encounter when making financial decisions," said Mr Fernandez, who is also the editor-in-chief of Singapore Press Holdings' (SPH) English/Malay/Tamil Media Group.
SPH was also a runner-up for two prizes - the Singapore Corporate Governance Award and the Most Transparent Company Award - at the 21st edition of the Sias Investors' Choice Awards.
The Singapore Corporate Governance Award recognises companies that have achieved high standards of corporate governance practices in areas such as sustainability as well as shareholders' rights and equitable treatment.
The award was won by five companies: Keppel Corp, food and beverage company Del Monte Pacific, Sing Investments & Finance, Cromwell European Real Estate Investment and airport ground services provider Sats.
Meanwhile, the Most Transparent Company Award recognises listed companies that best help investors to make informed decisions. Its 11 winners include StarHub, UOB and Q & M Dental Group (Singapore).
SPH chief executive Ng Yat Chung said: "We are honoured to be recognised for our efforts in upholding high standards of corporate governance and our commitment to promoting corporate transparency and enhancing shareholder value.
"A diverse and transparent board brings together a wider range of perspectives and insights for better decision-making."
SPH journalists also won big, with Business Times senior correspondent Ben Paul recognised as Financial Journalist of the Year.
The Financial Story of the Year award went to Lianhe Zaobao senior business correspondent Chew Boon Leong.
SPH Radio Money FM 89.3 senior producer-presenter Rachel Adrienne Kelly won the Investor Education Journalist of the Year prize.
Meanwhile, The Edge Singapore senior writer Amala Balakrishner won the Most Promising Journalist of the Year prize and CNA Money Mind journalist Chor Khieng Yuit bagged a special award.
The hybrid ceremony was live-streamed from the Suntec Singapore Convention & Exhibition Centre.
Former president Tony Tan Keng Yam - chief patron of Sias, or the Securities Investors Association (Singapore) - was the guest of honour.
