Chairman, Mr Khaw Boon Wan
Scholarship recipients and graduating scholars
Parents, families and friends
Distinguished guests
1. Good afternoon. And a very warm welcome to the SPH Media Scholarship Award Ceremony 2026.
2. We live in a world today filled with constant change, noise, and fake news – in geopolitics, the global economy, in technology, and a host of areas with impact on our daily lives. To help make sense of such changes, people need information and facts they can rely on. Trusted news acts as an anchor – keeping our community informed and giving people confidence in the truth. Trusted journalism matters more than ever.
3. The future of journalism starts with investing in people. That is why I am excited to announce our new Tamil Media Scholarship, supported by the Ministry of Digital Development and Information. Tamil is one of Singapore’s four official languages and a vital part of our rich cultural heritage. This scholarship gives passionate young talent the chance to shape the future of Tamil media and keep the language vibrant for generations to come.
4. Bringing in great talent is just the first step. We also want to make sure our scholars are supported every step of the way – from university into their careers with SPH. To do this, we have implemented a buddy and mentor system. Every new scholar will be paired with both a former scholar and an experienced mid-career professional at SPH. They will be there to offer guidance, practical advice, and a friendly ear as you navigate university and prepare for the newsroom.
5. At the same time, we are constantly helping our people learn and grow through the SPH Media Academy. We want our journalists to have the best tools in the world. We are partnering with Google and local institutes like NUS-ISS to train our staff in AI and verification. We are working with the AFP Fact Check team to sharpen our digital investigation skills. We are collaborating with global experts like Oxford University’s Reuters Institute, Tsinghua University, and the Poynter Institute to strengthen the leadership and professional capabilities of our journalists.
6. Developing talent is a continuous journey. To build our next generation of leaders, I am delighted to also launch the SPH Management Associate Programme. This 24-month programme is designed for fresh graduates with up to two years of experience. If you want to help lead our digital future, champion trusted journalism and foster an informed citizenry, this is your path.
7. Our greatest investment is not in technology or systems—it is in people. When we support our newsrooms with mentorship, world-class training, and clear career paths, we strengthen the future of journalism itself. Our mission remains simple and constant: To inform, connect and inspire. We are the trusted news source, connecting Singapore to the world and the world to Singapore.
8. To our scholars and graduating scholars, congratulations on your achievements. Welcome to the SPH family, and we cannot wait to see the impact you will make.
Thank you.