ST will aim to become an indispensable partner to Singapore's communities: Editor

Newsrooms must reflect the aspirations and concerns of those they serve, says Jaime Ho

- Syarafana Shafeeq

The Straits Times will endeavour to go from being a purveyor of information to becoming an indispensable partner in the lives of Singapore's communities, actively listening to their voices and reflecting their concerns and aspirations, said its editor Jaime Ho.

This is as the current era, marked by information overload, growing polarisation and falling trust — requires newsrooms to fundamentally rethink their purpose and deepen connections with the communities they serve, he added at a gala dinner at Jewel Changi Airport to commemorate the news organisation's 180th anniversary.

Reflecting on ST's history, Mr Ho said the broadsheet can look back with pride at having chronicled Singapore's triumphs and tribulations, and for being the conveners of public conversation, guided by its conviction to nurture the broadest middle ground.

"Our commitment to truth-seeking, accuracy and fairness has been the bedrock of our credibility and the foundation of the trust placed by our readers in us and our work," he said, noting that ST is already the most trusted news source in Singapore.

At the same time, the newsroom has to look forward with humility and clear-eyed pragmatism, given that the battle for attention in an increasingly noisy digital sphere is fiercer than ever, with echo chambers that reinforce one's beliefs and limit exposure to differing views.

The challenge is compounded by declining trust in institutions in many places, though Singapore is fortunate that the forces affecting other societies and journalism around the world have not been felt as strongly here, he added.