ST to move beyond news delivery and engage more with readers, says editor Jaime Ho

The Straits Times will endeavour to go from 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, its editor Jaime Ho said.

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.

Mr Ho noted that optimising content, leveraging generative artificial intelligence and driving engagement via the newest algorithms of social and video platforms are now part of the day-to-day work of any newsroom.

But news organisations must go further to deepen their connections with the communities they serve. This means understanding and reflecting the needs, concerns and aspirations of their communities and providing them with truly meaningful and impactful information, he said.

"This requires us to move beyond a purely transactional relationship with our readers (to) investing in community-driven journalism, where we meet and collaborate with those around us to identify the stories that matter most to them, and to amplify their voices," he said.

Mr Ho said this has been the core behind many of the activities organised throughout ST's 180th anniversary year.

In January, the paper launched a series of engagements called Conversations with The Straits Times, which, to date, has engaged various groups of Singaporeans through three forums.

These sessions have helped ST better understand what its readers want and for them to have a better view of how the newsroom works and the considerations behind editorial decisions, Mr Ho said.

ST has also paid special attention to younger Singaporeans. From April to May, it brought together 6,000 students for a news and current affairs quiz competition.

An exhibition was also launched on July 11 to reflect the broadsheet's role in chronicling Singapore's milestones over the last 180 years and how news itself has evolved.

The free exhibition will be at Jewel Changi Airport's South Gateway Garden until July 20, and will then be hosted by venue supporters Westgate and Raffles City until Aug 17.

To stay relevant in the digital age, Mr Ho said ST will embrace innovation in storytelling and delivery, continuing to leverage the positive power of social media, data visualisation and interactive formats to present information in engaging ways.

At the gala dinner, he officially launched a refreshed web and app experience that features a faster and cleaner interface, with enhanced ways for readers to personalise their ST news feeds.

"We will continue to meet our audiences where they are, on the platforms they use - and ours - while most importantly remaining true to the integrity and positive impact of our journalism," he said.

Mr Ho emphasised that while ST seeks to grow its audiences, reach alone does not guarantee the strengthening of society's vital common space.

While it may be appealing to acquire a large audience or have deep engagement with a single large segment, this does not necessarily contribute to the cohesion and understanding that are essential to a healthy society, he said.

"Our aim, therefore, is to be a trusted source for the majority, and fostering dialogue that resonates across a wide spectrum of perspectives, including those in the minority," he said.

He acknowledged that earning and maintaining trust is a perpetual endeavour, and the journey ahead will undoubtedly present challenges.

But the ST newsroom is optimistic, and has a renewed sense of purpose as it navigates this evolving landscape, he added.

"By continuing to embrace innovation, deepening our community ties, and staying true to fundamental principles, The Straits Times and the broader news industry in Singapore will surely thrive in the years to come."

Mr Ho thanked everyone who had walked with ST and helped it to get to this stage of its history. He also thanked key sponsors who had generously supported ST's 180th anniversary programmes: the Ministry of Home Affairs, Singapore Pools, Singtel, Temasek, and UOB.