I announce the beginning of this blogger in response to a personal rage against the Straits Times of the Singapore Press Holdings.
I am a student that has been living and studying abroad for a number of years now. My source of news and information about my home country has always been the Straits Times Interactive online. For me, STI has allowed me to stay in touch with local news and keep abreast with the political, social and entertainment scene. However, lately I have been robbed of this previlege that I believe should be FREELY available to the public.
If you are NOW interested in reading the articles presented on the homepage of STI, please first pay
$75 for a 6 month subscription and
$120 for a 1 year subscription.
HELLO?! STRAITS TIMES! WHAT THE HECK ARE YOU GUYS DOING? Yes, some Singaporeans freely toss up $300 to buy an ipod, $500 for an "LV" (Louis Vuitton) wallet and why would they not be willing to pay $120 for reading your newspaper online?
I dont care if your subscription fees are only 50cents, the fact is that STI SHOULD NOT be charging the online public for reading news articles on their website. In an era where the new generation of Singaporeans are becoming globe trotters, STI serves as a primary connection for Singaporeans to be able to touch base with local news and happenings. How about foreigners who want to know more about what the local sentiment on various issues such as the debate on gambling in Singapore? They would first pay money so that they might access the article. Come on Straits Times! CNN, MSNBC, BBC, ABC and even our own CNA all have free unlimited online access to their news services yet SPH cannot provide this service? Singapore is a small country, its not like we have a lot of news resources to go around. SPH has boasted a great journalistic and publishing reputation in our region for so long, why would you want to make a move like that and deny your long time readers their source of news and information?
Our government often urges citizens overseas to come home and contribute to the country, especially after our higher education. How can our government expect us to care about home when we can't even find out ABOUT home first unless we pay? Maybe the government can pump less money into Contact Singapore (organization invovled in trying to bring Singaporean talent home) and channel some to the cheap-ass Straits Times so they dont have to charge their long time followers fees for merely wanting to find out more about home.
Bad move Straits Times. Think about it.
I would comment on the casino/gambling debate, but i really have no clue what is going on. GUESS WHY.
p/s: Here's a great comment from an STi reader Kelvin Quee, with an excerpt from the email sent by STI to its readers.
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Friday, April 15, 2005
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6 Comments:
Here, here! The same with CNN, BBC, TIME...
Oh yeah, I forgot. I think there is an insidious plan by the government to chase away all the young graduate talent by making us pay for news at home... they just won't admit it.
Calling us home is an alibi. Hur hur.
Coincidentaly I was trying to do just that. Figured that I am up to date in world news (watching Australian news broadcasts daily) yet am absolutely clueless as to what's happening at home. Prior to entering my information to become a registered user, I had no idea we have to subscribe to a plan. Halfway through the process I get to the subcription box and unfortunately am not surprised at all that there isn't a "read for free" option.
Personally, I have observed that Singaporeans generally do not question the motives of authority/ managment. We simply do as we are told or turn our backs. Over time we have become immuned to the circumstances faced (just as I am guilty of doing so at times) and choose to walk away. So kudos to you for setting up this site!
Well said.
Heyhey, nice post. granted that i don't read much of STI, but on the rare occasion that i do, i realize that a lot of the articles are inaccessible. i suppose it's just a way of getting people to buy the actual print copies off the stand. however, i DO agree strongly with your point that it's one of the few, if not only, medium for those overseas (not just citizens but those who take a vested interest in the tiny island's affairs) to touch base once in awhile. i guess you could check out channelnewsasia.com but it's not the same as STI of course. not as singapore-specific.
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