Chairman, Mr Khaw Boon Wan
Scholarship recipients
Families and friends
Distinguished guests
Ladies and gentlemen
1. A very warm welcome to SPH Media’s Scholarship Awards Ceremony. Today, we celebrate not just talent, but also purpose. We recognise our newest recipients of the SPH Media Journalism Scholarship and the SPH Media–Temasek Foundation Scholarship.
2. To our scholarship recipients, I would like to congratulate you on reaching this significant milestone. This award is a recognition of your drive, your potential, and most importantly, your passion to tell stories that matter.
3, This year is especially significant for SPH. The Straits Times commemorates its 180th anniversary, and Tamil Murasu marks 90 years of serving the Tamil-speaking community. These significant milestones remind us of the generations of Singaporeans who have grown up with and relied on our publications for news and information, and to the important role that credible and responsible news media plays in Singapore.
4. We live in a time where truth competes with misinformation, where narratives depend on who shouts loudest, and where trust is hard-won but easily lost. As the national news media company, we provide news and content that are trusted, credible, and essential for an informed citizenry. To reflect the voices of Singaporeans and our communities. To offer a common space for constructive conversations. To connect Singapore to the world. To tell the Singapore story.
5. We are proud that this commitment has been, and continues to be recognised — both here and abroad. According to the latest Reuters Digital News Report, The Straits Times is Singapore’s most trusted news brand. The latest independent surveys show that SPH’s products reach more than 8 in 10 residents in Singapore. Our publications also garner the highest overall number of page views among Singapore news outlets. And we are the most internationally awarded newsroom in the country by the World Association of News Publishers, International News Media Association and the Society of Publishers in Asia.
6. All these results are only possible because of the people who have chosen to dedicate themselves to tell the stories, shape the conversations and earn the trust. They are the journalists, editors, producers, photographers, creators and support staff. They believe in the power of storytelling and its ability to shape a better and more connected world. That is why talent development is so important to us, and why we continue to invest heavily in grooming journalistic talent — from young interns to newsroom leaders.
7. Our SPH Media Academy offers ongoing professional development, bringing in global best practices and partnerships. This includes fellowships with the Reuters Institute at Oxford University and the School of Journalism and Communication at Tsinghua University, and strengthening our newsroom leadership in partnership with Poynter Institute in Florida.
8. We have launched a new Senior Fellowship with Tsinghua to give our senior editors the chance to broaden their networks and learn about the latest media and technology development in China.
9. Our Chinese Media Group has also collaborated with Tsinghua University and NUS to launch a Minor in Chinese Media, with the first cohort commencing this month.
10. Our journalists are actively upskilling and developing their skills for their passion in journalism. For example, Mr Danson Cheong, Assistant News Editor at The Straits Times completed a 10-month Executive Programme in News Innovation and Leadership earlier this year. This programme was offered by Craig Newmark Graduate School of Journalism at the City University of New York.
11. Ms Wong Pei Ting, Correspondent at The Straits Times, will be embarking on her Master of Science in Data Journalism in Columbia University in August this year. She will be exposed to learning opportunities in the tech and media space, on finding, collecting, and analysing data for storytelling, presentation and investigative reporting.
12. Over the last 3 years, we have awarded 18 SPH Media Journalism Scholarships, including the 3 new recipients today.
13. And together with Temasek Foundation, we have given out 6 SPH Media–Temasek Foundation Scholarships since 2023, to support aspiring journalists in pursuing higher education.
14. These efforts are part of our commitment to build a future-ready newsroom — one that is deeply anchored in public purpose and powered by talent.
15. To the families and supporters here today — thank you for encouraging our scholars to pursue their passion in journalism. Your support makes their journey possible.
16. To Temasek Foundation: thank you for being a steadfast partner in championing the future of journalism and media in Singapore.
17. To our colleagues and partners who continue to nurture, mentor and uplift talent in our organisation and industry — your efforts ensure that we continue to fulfil our mission as a trusted national news media company.
18. I wish our scholars all the very best for what lies ahead.
Thank you.