SPH’s Chinese Papers Cut in with Youth: The Digital Beat Goes On
Singapore’s SPH Media Trust is on a mission to get its Chinese‐language titles into the minds (and phones) of the next generation, while pitching those stories off‑shore to a hungry overseas audience. It’s all about staying fresh, tech‑savvy and keeping the Singapore angle in high‑gear.
Four Pillars to Power the Push
- Youth‑Wrapped Content – Slice stories into bite‑size portions that kids scroll through without losing sleep.
- Digital Mastery – Deploy slick tech to deliver news to readers and listeners with the ease of a tap.
- Talent & Pay – Recruit, nurture and keep the smartest minds on board, with pay that matches a competing league.
- Journalist Skill‑Upgrades – Give reporters the training tools they need to stay sharp in a rapidly changing media landscape.
Why TikTok and Singapore Matter
With TikTok reigning supreme on the feed, the Chinese papers are nudging themselves into the platform’s groove. If you’re not moving with your readers’ digital habits, you’re basically giving your relevance a puncture.
- Invest in hardware, software, and digital skills: the big-ticket items that transform great content into a blockbuster user experience.
- No tech? Your best newsroom will just be a brick‑faced wall of brilliance that nobody can get to.
Singapore’s Perspective: The Global Go‑To Playbook
“There’s a clear demand for a Singapore viewpoint,” says chairman Khaw Boon Wan. “We’re neutral, rational, and globally savvy. Think about how that benefits business folks and professionals out there.”
Lianhe Zaobao is stepping out of the paper‑fold and becoming an all‑encompassing news platform—keeping that Chinese readership while tapping Singapore’s unique context.
Staying Classy, Not Sensational
“The trick is to keep it useful, not click‑bait,” Khaw reminds us. “We’re here to bridge divides, not fan them—no circus act for the sake of views.”
Promoting Chinese Beyond Exams
Beyond news, Zaobao champions Chinese language as a daily lifestyle. It partners with the Ministry of Education to keep youth seeing Chinese as a living way of life—a cultural bridge, not a test formality.
In short: great journalism, tech‑forward delivery, solid pay for talent, and a clear Singapore angle, all wrapped in a tone that feels less “paper” and more “pocket‑ready friend.”
Lianhe Wanbao to be merged with Shin Min Daily News
Lights Out for the Evening Edition: Lianhe Wanbao Is Signing Off
Picture this: the final page of the Lianhe Wanbao flashes on a chilly Christmas Eve, and then… poof!—its print world fades away. From December 26 onward, the once‑familiar name will hitch its ride on the Shin Min Daily News, giving our citizens a cozy single evening paper.
Why the Switch? The Digital Storm
- Instant news wars: In an age where headlines come faster than a caffeine‑boosted espresso shot, the good ol’ evening paper loses its edge.
- Regional collapse: Many local dailies have already closed their doors—no more dusk‑time editions here, no more “me at noon” news boxes there.
- Print holidays: December 25 is a traditional “no printing” day, making the final Christmas Eve issue a fitting curtain call.
Keeping the Elders in the Loop
Mr. Khaw stresses: “The digital shift isn’t just a corporate fancy. It’s about real people—especially our seniors, who’ve spent decades flipping through paper.” The plan? A two‑pronged strategy to keep everyone on board.
Step One – Consolidate
Instead of two separate paper trains, we’re merging and streamlining. This frees up staff to focus on content that matters, while cutting down redundancy.
Step Two – Digital Coaching
We’ll roll out tablet workshops, “how‑to” guides, and a friendly support line for anyone feeling lost in the digital maze. “It takes time to ditch an old habit,” Mr. Khaw reminds us, “so we’ll give them that room.”
Who’s Getting What?
Under the merger, Wanbao’s personnel and a significant chunk of its material will be transferred over to Shin Min. And though the two papers have overlapping headlines, this switch stakes out a clearer path forward.
Lianhe Wanbao has graced our shelves for 38 years—an impressive run in a competitive market—while Shin Min is gearing up to celebrate its 55th anniversary next year.
Behind the Decision
Media exec Lee Huay Leng points to two crucial factors:
- Fewer local Chinese‑media talents to keep both papers thriving.
- A shrinking market for physical copies, especially when the evening editions are overlapping more than a meme duplicate.
So, while the printed world cheers a fond farewell to an old friend, it also passes the torch to a new, tighter‑knit contender, making sure no reader—young, old, or tech‑savvy—is left hanging. Happy reading, and cheers to the future!
Formation of SPH Media Trust
SPH Media Trust Takes the Wheel: A New Chapter for Singapore Journalism
Picture this: the media giant that once dominated Singapore’s print world is handing over the reins to a fresh, profit‑driven entity called SPH Media Trust. And guess who’s at the helm? Former infrastructure czar, Mr Khaw, now rocking the title of chairman. Meanwhile, ex‑SPH deputy chief executive Patrick Daniel is stepping in as the interim chief executive.
Why the Shake‑Up?
- In May, SPH announced it would spin off its media arm into a company limited by guarantee—a CLG that keeps profits inside the business.
- By September 10, shareholders gave the green light; the fine‑print of the transfer is still under discussion.
- And now, Mr Khaw’s folks are asking: “If the government’s footing the bill, why still need the public’s support?”
Mr Khaw’s Take
“The government’s backing is great for the digital makeover,” Mr Khaw explained, “but it’s not a one‑size‑fits‑all fix. We still need serious investments in tech, product development, and hiring people who actually know their stuff.”
While state grants help, they fall short of covering day‑to‑day expenses. “We can’t do this alone,” he added. “Your subscriptions, your adverts, your cheers—each one tells the world ‘we value good journalism.’”
“If the community backs us, it signals that the hard‑working newsroom deserves a fair paycheck and the chance to flourish,” Khaw said.
What Does That Mean for You?
- Subscribe. It’ll keep the newsroom humming.
- Advertise. Regular business ads help us grow.
- Donate. Support the SPH Foundation for scholarships and media literacy—especially for the young.
Pressing the “Free” Button is a Different Ball Game
“Sure, the majority of news can be free,” Khaw admitted, “but we’re aiming to generate the kind of deep‑dive insights people actually want to pay for.”
“Quality newsroom culture, original articles, and well‑paid talent are the secret sauce for converting users into paying subscribers,” he said.
— Originally published in The Straits Times. Copyright infringement notice included.
