TR EMERITUS

By Hurr Riyahi In the last year, Temasek Review has evolved and grown to be an important source of information, news and opinion about Singapore. It has been quoted in international media as a news and opinion source hereby recognising its legitimacy. Mainstream media opinions and information of citizens' opinions have become questionable at times due to its lack of independence given its self-declared pro-government approach. Reporters from mainstream media and even PAP MPs in Singapore have replied directly to Temasek Review, something totally or almost unprecedented. That again is due to the fact many Singaporeans, foreigners and external journalists are visiting this site more than the online sites of other local mainstream news channels. Given these trends and the kind of power and influence Temasek Review yields on and off the internet, there are growing calls from numerous quarters for changes in Temasek Review so that the site meets their expectations. Temasek Review being a champion of change ought to heed the calls for change directed at it. However for each of the area in which Temasek Review falls short of their expectations, there is a bigger reason due to others explaining the shortcomings. Hence for change to occur in Temasek Review, change is first required from others. Temasek Review needs newspaper and TV news channel license One of the key criticisms levelled on Temasek Review is that its pieces need to reach highest standards of journalism. I find this humourous when it comes from Singaporeans because many people in and outside Singapore find mainstream media in Singapore to be lacking of any basic standards of journalism. The reason why Temasek Review lacks the such high standards is because it is online citizen journalism which is run by citizens. In online citizen journalism the standards are very unclear and do not match conventional journalism. Nevertheless it will be a positive change for Temasek Review if it can attain such high standards as conventional journalism because it will also mean it will be better than local mainstream media. However the structure of Temasek Review has been rather loose from day one. Just like many  other online websites providing news, it invites all citizens to write. It also does not have full time editors. There is no formal processes. There isnt any Temasek Review core team even. There is no vetting or editing even to the articles.Those who do contribute to this site do not even know each other. They do not control each other's actions either. They do not take responsibility for one another's actions or decisions. There is no stakes for anyone. Even an article like this that includes criticisms about Temasek Review is allowed as it is not going to damage the site's or anyone. But as mentioned again this is online citizen journalism. This is how things work on such a site. Its perfectly alright for such a site as it does not violate any nature of such sites. Another key criticism levelled on Temasek Review is the kind of personal attacks made by netizens posting comments targeting the writers, the site itself, other individuals, the government etc. This is true for almost every article in Temasek Review. In fact for each postings one can see two or more sides being taken from which such personal attacks are hurled. Then again certain segment of Singaporeans, no matter what political affiliation they may have, have a tendency to use personal attacks. Unfortunately it is quite the culture in certain sectors of Singaporeans. As mentioned earlier Temasek Review does not have a formal organisational framework or operations team. Basically one or two guys just log on and approve comments at rapid rate unless if its too unacceptable. For a more moderated discussion, Temasek Review needs full time dedicated personnel to manage this website. If Temasek Review is expected to show standards of conventional journalism, then it requires the freedom and resources needed to be a conventional media. Given Singaporeans are not going to pay for an online website, it is impossible to hire such full time personnel. The only alternative is Temasek Review be given a newspaper and news channel tv license and allow it provide news, opinions and information in the manner some quarters expect. Should anyone think closing down Temasek Review will resolve the problem, they are wrong. Especially since there are nobody who is owning it. Most importantly there are far too many netizens who will simply create a Temasek Review clone the very next day. One can expect many such sites springing up instead of just one. In any other country a site such as Temasek Review will not have achieved as much importance as it has achieved in Singapore. That is purely because of the  repression of media, news, information and opinions. Things also have deteriorated to the extent where foreign media sometimes are relying on Temasek Review and other  online citizen journalist websites to find out what is happening in Singapore. Nobody other than the government and its controlled state media created a need for Temasek Review and other citizen journalism. What is interesting is not the some quarters in Singapore are worried about Temasek Review but they are worried about online citizen journalism. They think they can counter it by themselves going online. It didnt work. They also imagine that if they can exert pressure using rules and regulations for conventional journalism, they can exert some control. Welcome to the new world era. The realities in the internet are not that simple. Their only last bet is to integrate Temasek Review with conventional journalism by allowing online citizen journalistic sites to have newspaper and news tv channel licenses. In that way only can you demand and expect conventional journalistic standards. That is also the only way you can expect to promote more moderated discussions. In fact this can be a really positive step forward allowing the various quarters to engage themselves more actively and directly on a common platform. Mainstream journalists must stop their anonymity The other change expected of Temasek Review by local mainstream media is for its contributors to stop being anonymous. That is so hypocritical because there are intelligence agents in local mainstream media who are anonymously writing under the designations as journalists. Some of them are even open secrets. The only other countries where citizens write anonymously on websites are in countries where there is severe repression, oppression, autocracy and dictatorship. Until a day comes when there is media freedom and intelligence agents stop writing under the disguise of journalists in mainstream media, there will always be websites where people express opinions anonymously. Set standards for all journalists in Singapore Another set of criticisms put out at Temasek Review includes that the site is sensationalizing news, being anti-Christian, anti-Buddhist etc. Which Singapore media outlet including local mainstream media has not been accused of such things? It is not that media sensationalizes news but the way media emphasizes or prioritize or report news.  Society itself has to set standards for all journalists not just for Temasek Review. Instead society becomes selective in its criticisms and that is unhelpful. Each group tends to launch at whichever news outlet that it is unhappy with and when another group is aggrieved in the same manner by another news outlet, the former group sit silent. Society also needs to access what is the role of media in Singapore society. Till now its something solely decided by politicians. Some argue media is the voice of conscience of society but how can it be in Singapore if for instance main stream media calls itself to be  pro-government. In issues of religion and race, Singapore for the last 50 years have regarded them as taboo topics even though they are key issues of our multi-racial and multi-religious society. The failure to establish platforms and standards on how they should be discussed has made journalists in Singapore being incompetent in covering them adequately and appropriately. Singaporeans and not politicians should be heard on how the society wants to deal with this. Way forward for journalism in Singapore Even though Temasek Review has long term vision and is working hard, it has already accomplished itself for what it set itself out for - premiere online citizen journalism site. Tomorrow whether Temasek Review grows bigger or shuts down is immaterial. It has set a certain standard and inspired necessary number of minds that online citizen journalism will carry on with or without it. Journalism has been one area in Singapore which primarily for half a century has been about conquer, control and power. Such hegemonistic approach has failed today with internet. It is time politicians, Lee Kuan Yew and mainstream media shed this attitude and work towards a free and open media environment. For fifty years they imagined that their continuity relied on a tightly controlled media environment. Today, its clear their continuity relies on an open media environment.  Read More →

Written by Our Correspondent Despite the lukewarm response from fellow Singaporeans, Alex Tan remained unfazed by the low turnout at his maiden speech yesterday and promised to continue making speeches at Hong Lim Park on a weekly basis. About 20 people turned up at Hong Lim Park yesterday to listen to Alex's speech which touched on important national issues such as public housing, education and national service. (read Alex's speech here) Alex begain his speech by thanking those present for taking time off to come and listen to him: "Before I start, I would like to say a few words to my supporters. I really appreciate what each and everyone of you have done to bring a new definition to Singaporeans. You people are not apathetic and definitely not afraid." Though his speech was short and lacking in details, he managed to capture the attention of the crowd with his point-blank highlighting of the inherent discrepancies in the ruling party's policies which seem to discriminate against Singaporeans. He ended the session with a promise to continue speaking up for Singaporeans: "Back in Sept 2006, PM Lee proposed this slogan “No One will be Left Behind”. He lived up to his promise and the PRs and Foreigners are sure well taken care of. Here in 2010, I wish to change that slogan: No Singaporeans will be Left Behind. I wish to continue speaking up for Singaporeans. As such I will be having such similar speeches every Sunday at 5pm here in Hong Lim Park. Your grievances and bitterness will not be ignored. They will be discussed, debated and solutions will be offered. I thank you all for coming. Singapore for Singaporeans." His efforts were applauded by many netizens. Steven wrote on Temasek Review: "Kudos to Alex. we need more people like you to speakup for us. to us, the lower income, we will never have more then $100k in our CPF when we hit 55 years and all these money will be lock up under the retirement fund. to the rich, $100k is nothing as they will still have plenty of balance. All these happened because the Govt are afraid to support the old and needy. they can affort to gain billions and loose billions in their investment, but when it comes to taking care of its citizens, they say welfare is a dirty word. Don’t forget, these senior citizens are the one who brought you to where you are today." KNN agreed: "I must say that as a 22 year old guy, he pack alot of punches and I am glad that he is with Mr Chiam who is my most respected opposition elder.....Only when you all stand together, you have a better chance to survive, to continue, and to win, eventually. For now, Alex, if you are reading this, way to go." Brotherhood can identify with the issues brought up by Alex: "Alex Tan has made a speech that is well articulated and touches my heart with the mention of all the issues and problems we, the mere mortal flat lease holders and dwellers face. Singaporeans do have some savings but these are all to be spent if not already spent on overpriced items. Compared to many countries, singaporeans do have some wealth, but they can only afford overpriced flats so small and i heard its even smaller nowadays and more expensive. Is this progress?" Alex has bravely taken the first baby step for all Singaporeans and we must not forget the fact that he is doing so in his own personal capacity without any support from his party. (Singapore People's Party) If Alex continues to make speeches like such weekly at Hong Lim Park, the turnout will surely increase. Public awareness is generated slowly and gradually over time. We need more Alex Tans to step forward and speak out for Singaporeans and time is fast running out.  Read More →

Background: During a 10-minute speech made at Hong Lim Park, Alex Tan touched on a few important national issues close to the hearts of Singaporeans such as sky-rocketing HDB flat prices, competition with foreigners in jobs and education and lack of a social safety net for the elderly. Read the full transcript of Alex Tan's speech here.  Read More →