‘I can now better appreciate’ challenges faced by newsrooms, journalists: Khaw
The outgoing chairman of SPH Media Trust noted issues such as pressure from diverse audiences and online harassment.
Khaw Boon Wan, chairman of SPH Media Trust, has acknowledged that his five years steering the organization has given him a greater understanding of the challenges faced by newsrooms and journalists. Despite not possessing the innate journalistic instincts, Khaw can now appreciate the pressures faced by newsrooms, including time constraints, conflicting demands from various parties, and the use of divisive issues as a means of sparking controversy.
The chairman also noted the difficulties faced by young journalists in balancing work and family commitments. Khaw's decision to step down from his role, subject to regulatory approval and expected to take effect from October 1, 2026, comes as he hands over the reins to SPH Media's CEO, Chan Yeng Kit. The media sector, he said, is particularly challenging due to the need for alignment between content providers and consumers.
SPH Media, he pointed out, must compete with larger companies with deep pockets that offer attractive alternate lifestyles and alternative facts. As consumers have moved away from traditional media such as newspapers, SPH Media has had to evolve by reaching its audiences through smartphones. While SPH Media has seen success in producing engaging digital and social content, as well as collaborating with generative AI partners, the chairman emphasized that there are no shortcuts to producing high-quality journalism.
He lamented the loss of government support that has been crucial for SPH Media's growth, and acknowledged that innovative approaches, such as utilizing AI, are necessary for the organization's long-term success.
Written by urgent.news from Straits Times's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
