Exploring multiple perspectives by Hazel Fernandez https://padlet.com/hazel_fernandez/eux808mo8teg08bz Media Freedom en-us 2020-08-17 09:47:03 UTC 2026-02-05 01:02:02 UTC hello@padlet.com https://padlet.com/hazel_fernandez/eux808mo8teg08bz/wish/682460480 The media is supposed to be a neutral medium which airs views that avoids fragmenting society as the fault lines in our society (e.g. racial and religious) can be easily exploited]]> 2020-08-17 09:52:02 UTC https://padlet.com/hazel_fernandez/eux808mo8teg08bz/wish/682460480 hazel_fernandez https://padlet.com/hazel_fernandez/eux808mo8teg08bz/wish/683293467 Singapore has consistently ranked poorly in Word Press Freedom for the past few years and is one of the lowest is Asia. 
The index is accessed by media independence, legislative framework, abusers against media/ reporters, infrastructure and more.
Judicial and financial pressure from the authorities is prevalent in Singapore and there is room for improvement for more alternative independent media without a large degree of censorship.
]]> 2020-08-17 17:26:07 UTC https://padlet.com/hazel_fernandez/eux808mo8teg08bz/wish/683293467 https://padlet.com/hazel_fernandez/eux808mo8teg08bz/wish/684076291 - People prefer the multitude of distractions on their phones
- Want their news packaged
- Niche content appeals to them
- Prefer platforms to point out must read news
- Prefer tongue-in-cheek, meme-driven approach]]> 2020-08-18 01:43:53 UTC https://padlet.com/hazel_fernandez/eux808mo8teg08bz/wish/684076291 How are online-based news sites doing https://padlet.com/hazel_fernandez/eux808mo8teg08bz/wish/684077873 There is a number of new and alternative media start-ups but there is only a few large dominant sites eg SGAG, Mothership, Smart Local. A lot of the small sites are not very well-known. Not only that, not many lasted because they do not have enough funds to sustain their website. ]]> 2020-08-18 01:45:09 UTC https://padlet.com/hazel_fernandez/eux808mo8teg08bz/wish/684077873 https://padlet.com/hazel_fernandez/eux808mo8teg08bz/wish/684079075 The older generation prefers traditional media, while the younger generation prefers online media. Consumption habits have changed in a way such that people prefer reading through the summary and crux of these articles. People are also now more skeptical of what they read online due to the prevalence of fake news.]]> 2020-08-18 01:46:06 UTC https://padlet.com/hazel_fernandez/eux808mo8teg08bz/wish/684079075 Jonathan Chew's group https://padlet.com/hazel_fernandez/eux808mo8teg08bz/wish/684079345
There are modicums of successful online-based media outlet e.g mothership and they relate to the their audience. However, many such as Intelligent Questions(IQ) have failed
Currently, even big media outlets are trying to adapt to the growth of technology and they are also filling gaps of the niche areas which makes it challenging for smaller outlets to thrive
Local news media should start out small to build up their reputation as a credible media outlet]]> 2020-08-18 01:46:22 UTC https://padlet.com/hazel_fernandez/eux808mo8teg08bz/wish/684079345 https://padlet.com/hazel_fernandez/eux808mo8teg08bz/wish/684080663 Mainstream media plays a key role in progressing towards a more democratic society. However, it is limited because media itself is divisive in nature and as a small country, we cannot afford to have divisive opinions that can potentially fragment society]]> 2020-08-18 01:47:33 UTC https://padlet.com/hazel_fernandez/eux808mo8teg08bz/wish/684080663 How do they attract readers https://padlet.com/hazel_fernandez/eux808mo8teg08bz/wish/684082433 In these times where the new generation hardly rush home to catch news or much less buy newspaper, the demand for mainstream media has dwindled. 
To attract readers, these online-based news sites points out highlights to attract readers, with some making use of humour to gain traction among readers. ]]> 2020-08-18 01:49:13 UTC https://padlet.com/hazel_fernandez/eux808mo8teg08bz/wish/684082433 https://padlet.com/hazel_fernandez/eux808mo8teg08bz/wish/684082857 Singapore is a democratic state yet it is also a multiracial society. there is much censorship in the country as it is ranked bottom 151 out of 180 countries,  indicating severe lack of freedom of speech. ]]> 2020-08-18 01:49:34 UTC https://padlet.com/hazel_fernandez/eux808mo8teg08bz/wish/684082857 https://padlet.com/hazel_fernandez/eux808mo8teg08bz/wish/684096160 Yes, many mainstream media has got telegram chats that selects main highlights which is very convenient]]> 2020-08-18 02:01:25 UTC https://padlet.com/hazel_fernandez/eux808mo8teg08bz/wish/684096160 https://padlet.com/hazel_fernandez/eux808mo8teg08bz/wish/684097095 There is scepticism towards news sites that are not deemed as authoritative or established reputation for professionalism since fake news is everywhere, but at the same time it is quite ironic that people steer towards social media for news, where fake news is more prevalent ]]> 2020-08-18 02:02:11 UTC https://padlet.com/hazel_fernandez/eux808mo8teg08bz/wish/684097095 https://padlet.com/hazel_fernandez/eux808mo8teg08bz/wish/684098249 Singapore’s press is heavily regulated and only selective content that are more of neutral or pro-government are allowed on the mainstream media.]]> 2020-08-18 02:03:17 UTC https://padlet.com/hazel_fernandez/eux808mo8teg08bz/wish/684098249 https://padlet.com/hazel_fernandez/eux808mo8teg08bz/wish/684103507 It is dangerous to have press freedom nowadays when journalists are seen as legitimate targets and propaganda tools. Between 2002 and 2012, 506 journalists were killed most often by simple murder. This may have cultivated a sense of conformity for fear of being harmed. ]]> 2020-08-18 02:08:36 UTC https://padlet.com/hazel_fernandez/eux808mo8teg08bz/wish/684103507 https://padlet.com/hazel_fernandez/eux808mo8teg08bz/wish/686442510 I think Singapore is not very concerned about this, it is more important to worry about how too much freedom of speech will have an impact within our own country. From our political leaders’ points of view, this is better addressed as a domestic affair than an international affair.]]> 2020-08-19 03:24:33 UTC https://padlet.com/hazel_fernandez/eux808mo8teg08bz/wish/686442510 https://padlet.com/hazel_fernandez/eux808mo8teg08bz/wish/686445896 I agree that Singapore cannot afford for all opinions to be heard as we need to remain sensitive especially to the minorities in Singapore.]]> 2020-08-19 03:28:07 UTC https://padlet.com/hazel_fernandez/eux808mo8teg08bz/wish/686445896 https://padlet.com/hazel_fernandez/eux808mo8teg08bz/wish/686446189 Despite being ranked poorly in word press freedom, singapore is ranked relatively high in political stability across the word. Maybe media censorship to some degree actually helps to promote harmony in a society ]]> 2020-08-19 03:28:23 UTC https://padlet.com/hazel_fernandez/eux808mo8teg08bz/wish/686446189 https://padlet.com/hazel_fernandez/eux808mo8teg08bz/wish/686447573 Agree that there are few successful alternative local media companies. But those that have met success have in common: their target audience is youths/young adults, and they leverage on social media as their primary method of publicity. Therefore, other startup media companies should follow suit, and attempt to increase their spread through more niche social media platforms]]> 2020-08-19 03:29:48 UTC https://padlet.com/hazel_fernandez/eux808mo8teg08bz/wish/686447573 https://padlet.com/hazel_fernandez/eux808mo8teg08bz/wish/686448549 The PAP suppresses press freedom as it wants to maintain its supermajority in the govt, claiming that this is supported by a strong rationale of protecting international trade and ensuring that investors are not pushed away from political instability. Admittedly we dh any natural resources making us extremely reliant on international forces. But this gives the incumbent a blank cheque n allows contraversial laws (like NCMP scheme, POFMA, etc) to be passed with little opposition. This also discourages critical thinking with regards to politics amongst citizens, as they are innundated by pro-govt sentiments and are decreasingly exposed to opposing views. ]]> 2020-08-19 03:30:53 UTC https://padlet.com/hazel_fernandez/eux808mo8teg08bz/wish/686448549 https://padlet.com/hazel_fernandez/eux808mo8teg08bz/wish/686448908 Agreed. In other countries where there is complete freedom of press, "alternative", non-mainstream news sites have such as Breitbart in the US have published articles that push an agenda against a particular minority race/religion. This is something Singapore cannot afford. People of different races will be turned against each other which is undesirable in our small city state. ]]> 2020-08-19 03:31:20 UTC https://padlet.com/hazel_fernandez/eux808mo8teg08bz/wish/686448908 https://padlet.com/hazel_fernandez/eux808mo8teg08bz/wish/686450592 Singapore strict regulation e.g POFMA may discourage smaller media companies from entering the industry and lead to very homogenous reporting especially in the political field. This is especially so when the boundary between being politically neutral and pushing an agenda can be very vague. Hence, it is imperative that we maintain a delicate balance of censorship and freedom of expression to maintain vibrancy of opinions in society with regards to politics while maintaining social stability]]> 2020-08-19 03:33:10 UTC https://padlet.com/hazel_fernandez/eux808mo8teg08bz/wish/686450592 https://padlet.com/hazel_fernandez/eux808mo8teg08bz/wish/686450782 Singapore certainly has reason to regulate its media to prevent clashes between different groups of people due to conflicting opinions.]]> 2020-08-19 03:33:25 UTC https://padlet.com/hazel_fernandez/eux808mo8teg08bz/wish/686450782 https://padlet.com/hazel_fernandez/eux808mo8teg08bz/wish/686451484 In the current post-truth world, Singapore’s social structure is at larger risk of fragmentation, thus it is of much importance to maintain social harmony, in which the trading-off of some press freedom is necessary to maintain the harmony. While such censorship may be seen by the general public as a form of control by the government, resulting in some unhappiness, the potential consequences of have total press freedom may be more detrimental ]]> 2020-08-19 03:34:14 UTC https://padlet.com/hazel_fernandez/eux808mo8teg08bz/wish/686451484 https://padlet.com/hazel_fernandez/eux808mo8teg08bz/wish/686453348 Agreed. Fake news targetted to incite political and racial tensions by TheRealSingapore was punished heavily precisely because Singapore is unable to afford such divisive opinions/views. Moreover, the current demographics of Singaporean news consumers does not demand greater press freedom since they tend to consume “pithy” pieces and commentaries that the media is already publishing.]]> 2020-08-19 03:36:05 UTC https://padlet.com/hazel_fernandez/eux808mo8teg08bz/wish/686453348 https://padlet.com/hazel_fernandez/eux808mo8teg08bz/wish/686479960 I agree that there are certain limitations to press freedom in Singapore as it is important to maintaining the political stability in Singapore. However there should be some more media freedom to allow for more equality for different groups to express their views. An example would be the dominant political party (e. PAP) having an advantage in media coverage over opposition parties during elections. The country should slowly open up to more press freedom which would also allow for a society more open for discussion and debate, helping the country progress. Measures would also have to still be in place to ensure that people would not violate their rights of media freedom.]]> 2020-08-19 04:01:51 UTC https://padlet.com/hazel_fernandez/eux808mo8teg08bz/wish/686479960