Journalism a two-way street, readers have as much of a stake in it: ST editor

SINGAPORE - Journalism works two ways between those who report and those who read the news, and stories that deserve to be told can often come from readers, said Mr Jaime Ho, editor of The Straits Times.

Speaking during a dialogue on March 5 held at Temasek Junior College, Mr Ho said: “Journalism is not a one-way thing, we don’t find stories unilaterally. We are only one newsroom and we can’t know what is happening everywhere.”

Though the newsroom tries its best to put ears to the ground, it will also need to hear from readers who reach out and share stories of value, he said, in response to a question from a National Junior College (NJC) student on how ST uncovers human-interest stories.

The session, which ran for about an hour, was the second discussion held as part of a year-long series called

Conversations with The Straits Times.

These dialogues aim to facilitate candid discussions between the ST editorial team and readers.

The series, which is part of ST’s 180-year celebrations (ST180), was attended by around 520 students from nine junior colleges such as Hwa Chong Institution and St Andrew’s Junior College. 

“If you have a great story to tell, we want to hear it. Reach out and we will listen,” said Mr Ho. “That is the value and beauty of journalism and we need to make sure that everyone knows the relationship is two-way, and you have as much of a stake in it as we do.”

In the case of

25-year-old Ricqo Rafiezuwan,

a previously stateless individual in Singapore, The Straits Times’ coverage led to him attaining permanent residency status.

“The reaction was so overwhelming. People came to us with job offers and wanted to mentor him... His life was changed by journalism and that really was one of the stories that touched the entire newsroom,” Mr Ho said.

During the session, students raised questions on a range of topics from decisions on which stories to cover, to sensationalism in news, and the public perception of ST.

The dialogue, which was moderated by ST’s editor for newsroom insights Diane Leow, was held with Mr Ho, ST schools editor Serene Luo, and senior audience growth specialist Farzanah Friday. Kiss92 radio presenter Juliana Yeow hosted the session.

Mr Ho said that as a journalist and editor, one gets to see what is happening around the world, and what other countries and their media ecosystems are like.

“We sometimes underestimate the outsized role that the Singapore Government has in the lives of all of us here,” he said, in response to questions about ST being seen as a government “mouthpiece”.

Issues which would be considered small in other parts of the world, he said, like a pest problem at a local shop, are almost always reported to local agencies and dealt with accordingly here.

The Singapore Food Agency on Feb 26 had said it was looking into a case of bats feeding on a bunch of bananas at a fruit stall in Ang Mo Kio.

If the Government is expected to play a role in small incidents concerning Singaporeans and a big role in society by default, government news will form a big percentage of local news output, he said.

“Compared with other places in the world, journalists in Singapore, more than most other places, can actually believe that the Government is being truthful in what they say. I may not need to distrust and assume it is wrong, I can report things as it was said and let readers make their own judgment.”

According to

an annual survey by global communications firm Edelman,

trust in the Government grew slightly in Singapore to 77 per cent in 2024, and it remains the most trusted institution here.

“If you want to say we can do better in investigating and diving into more detail, that is a fair enough observation and that is something we will take on in the newsroom on a daily basis,” Mr Ho said.

On whether ST is shifting towards sensational coverage, following the trend of some foreign media doing so, he said: “A polarised view is a viral view, and is a view that can be monetised. That’s the unfortunate effect when it comes to news these days.”

But as far as ST is concerned, the newsroom aspires to be mainstream in terms of the values it propagates, and as inclusive and fair as possible, he added.

ST is a “tiny” newsroom compared to many foreign ones, and is limited when it comes to international news, he said. Other than a handful of foreign correspondents, ST relies on reputable wire agencies for world news. “If those publications become more extreme and polarised, then we would be in trouble. I don’t believe it has happened in some of the key wires.”

“If we want to be able to portray a uniquely Singaporean perspective on world news, we need our own boots on the ground in those places to do the reporting,” he said, and that requires funding.

ST has made efforts in recent years to expand its foreign reach, he said. It expanded its China bureau beyond Beijing to places like Chongqing and Shenzhen.

“Over time, you will have seen a more textured, and relatable view of China from ST,” he added.

TJC student Eason Hong, 17, who was curious about how media outlets discern what is news, said: “I have a greater appreciation for the role that ST plays. I feel like having credible news outlets is something that a lot of Singaporeans take for granted.”

NJC student Sharmadha Arivalagan, 17, said: “I think I got a lot of answers on how our Government is actually more honest here than it is elsewhere, which affects coverage.

“I also often wondered how the newsroom chooses the stories to cover, and from what I heard today I learnt that it may not always be about views but more so the impact that journalism can create.”

For more information about ST180, visit

str.sg/st180