| TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 2020 | THE STRAITS TIMES | TOPOF THENEWS A9

joined in across time zones. But quality journalism, he added, age to readers during the Covid-19 In , a webinar, titled is neither free nor cheap. It takes outbreak were also highlighted in Media showcases Covid-19: How Can You Contrib- hard work, commitment and re- ST’s specially produced video, Jour- ute?, was live-streamed from the sources, he added, noting that nalism Through A Pandemic, yester- newsroom of Singapore’s national Covid-19 has hit many newsrooms day evening. broadsheet, The Straits Times . hard, with sharp falls in advertising The half-hour documentary on In his opening remarks, Mr War- revenues. This would impact their ST’s Facebook and YouTube pages role in helping to ren Fernandez, editor of ST and ability to serve their communities. features footage of its correspon- president of the World Editors Fo- During the webinar, two panel dis- dents covering the scourge across rum, stressed the media’s role in in- cussions explored how journalists Asia, showing how newsrooms forming the masses and debunking are tackling the pandemic. adapted to and the fake news, especially during the cur- The first focused on the ongoing ways in which news stories have tackle Covid-19 crisis rent pandemic. “infodemic”during the pandemic, made an impact on national policies. “The world around us is getting with its surge of misinformation. The World News Day events will more and more complex, it’s fast In the second panel discussion, culminate in a virtual programme moving and fast changing. I think all moderated by Viswa Sadasivan, by the Canadian Journalism Founda- of us could do with a little bit of help chief executive of consultancy firm tion and World Editors Forum to- the occasion with special reports, figuring things out and staying on Strategic Moves, Mr Fernandez; Dr day at 7am (Singapore time). Over 150 newsrooms highlight how credible interviews, webinars, shows and top of developments, of separating June Tay, head of the digital media It will feature US National Insti- more. the facts from the fiction, of helping programme at the School of Sci- tute of Allergy and Infectious Dis- media made an impact during the pandemic Among those taking part were to join the dots and sort of interpret- ence and Technology in SUSS, and eases director and the Financial Times in the United ing where we are today and where infectious diseases expert Dale Philippine news website Rappler’s Fabian Koh other groups from Singapore were Kingdom; The Washington Post things are moving tomorrow.” Fisher, spoke on issues of credibil- co-founder Maria Ressa. featured in a video screened at a we- and The Los Angeles Times from This becomes absolutely critical ity and trust in media outlets. The webcast will be hosted by binar yesterday to showcase how the United States; The Age and The particularly in the current Covid-19 Professor Fisher, who is group CNN Worldwide’s chief media corre- As the coronavirus rages, the young young adults went to the aid of vic- Morning Herald in Aus- situation, added Mr Fernandez, chief of at the National spondent Brian Stelter, and feature in Asia did not sit still. tims of the virus. tralia; The Chosun Ilbo in South Ko- who is also editor-in-chief of Singa- University Health System and chair- musical performances by singers In , community youth It was produced by the National rea; and South China Morning Post pore Press Holdings’ English/ man of the steering committee for like Grammy winner Macy Gray. leader Xie Shang Wei helped to de- Youth Achievement Award Council in Hong Kong. Malay/Tamil Media Group. the Global Outbreak Alert and Re- liver food to the elderly poor living and Singapore University of Social The day kicked off in Asia, where Newsrooms have to step up to sponse Network at the World [email protected] in Harbin city. In Indonesia, under- Sciences (SUSS). newsrooms from the Philippines to help people make sense of what cur- Health Organisation, highlighted graduates of Bogor Agricultural Uni- Its screening was part of this Indonesia to South Korea joined in rent events mean for their lives and the role of effective communica- • Those who are interested in the versity distributed masks to vil- year’s World News Day, with more with editorials and events. These livelihoods, and provide credible in- tions in a public health crisis and webcast can register for free on the lagers in rural communities. than 150 media titles from across would continue through the day as formation to help them stay safe the need for a responsible media. World News Day website. Go to Their efforts and those of four the globe coming together to mark newsrooms around the world and secure. Efforts to deliver quality cover- https://str.sg/wnd-event

Why journalism matters more than ever now

Here are extracts of editorials from several newspapers yesterday to mark World News Day:

Hold the front page (The Irish Times): “In marking World News Day today, news organisations across the globe are setting out the case that ‘news’ matters, that news is more than entertainment or advertising – though it can be all – and that news is an essential oxygen supply empowering citizens, holding authority to account. And in doing so, sustaining democratic societies, a vital counterweight to political and economic power... The occasion, however, is not just an acknowledgment of journalism and its necessity, a mutual self-congratulatory pat on the back, but a warning that all is far from well, that news and journalism are critically threatened.”

Quality journalism more crucial than ever (The Herald, South Africa): “With so much misinformation circulating on social media these days, credible journalism is crucial... In a world feasting on ‘fast news’, it is up to professional media organisations and (From right) Infectious diseases expert Dale Fisher, The Straits Times editor Warren Fernandez, the Singapore University of Social Sciences’ digital media programme head June Tay, moderator Viswa journalists to ensure that the Sadasivan, and ST multimedia correspondent Yeo Sam Jo at yesterday’s session on tackling Covid-19. Mr Fernandez said World News Day yesterday was an opportunity to make the case that having traditional forms of gathering credible media organisations is important to the process of public communication as well as the health and well-being of societies. ST PHOTO: DESMOND FOO the news, together with the required checks and balances, don’t fall by the wayside in the well-being of societies. tion as it has commercial implica- rush to be ‘first’ with the story. Trust critical to bolstering public “You need good public informa- tions, but what we found was our In the age of Twitter, tion going out, you need the ex- subscriptions actually went up, Facebook and Google, among perts. But to complete that circle, and that says to me that people do others, there is a very clear confidence during crisis: Panel you need good, credible journalism value the information,” he added. place for credible, trusted as well,” said Mr Fernandez, who is Dr Tay, from SUSS’ School of Sci- media organisations.” also president of the World Editors ence and Technology, said that Forum and editor-in-chief of Singa- Covid-19 has brought not just risks In an age of fake news, press Lim Min Zhang Health System; Dr June Tay, head “People always think of case pore Press Holdings’ English/ and challenges, but also opportuni- freedom must be promoted of the digital media programme at management, preven- Malay/Tamil Media Group. ties in the digital space. and protected the Singapore University of Social tion and control, testing, epidemi- During this Covid-19 period, Responding to a question from (South China Morning Post): The Covid-19 pandemic has under- Sciences (SUSS); and The Straits ology and the epidemic curves that there has been a surge in the num- the audience about how people “There is a thirst for accurate scored the importance of public Times editor Warren Fernandez. we have to flatten... but the final pil- ber of people accessing news from can adapt as certain jobs are wiped information about this deadly communication, as well as the The session, titled Tackling lar is always risk communications, sources like ST, he said. This out with the advent of the digital new disease and the measures need for institutions such as the Covid-19: Getting It Right And community engagement. hunger for information speaks to economy, Dr Tay said it was impor- taken to curb it. But readers media to build up trust with their How You Can Contribute, was held “And if you get that wrong, this the issue of trust and credibility. tant to harness creativity and the are confronted with a mass of audiences, said panellists during a at The Straits Times’ newsroom leads to a failed response,” said What the newsroom has done is “human touch” to create more com- unreliable information and discussion on World News Day yes- and streamed virtually. The ses- Prof Fisher, who chairs the Global to invest in correspondents, build- pelling products and services. rumours, most of it through terday. sion was moderated by chief execu- Outbreak Alert and Response Net- ing up their authoritativeness and “If you see some durian sellers social media. Journalists are Public communication is often tive of Strategic Moves and former work steering committee for the credibility over the years so that who do live streaming, it’s actually trained to report objectively overlooked as a pillar of response Nominated MP Viswa Sadasivan. World Health Organisation. they can step up when such a crisis very exciting. They are able to en- and fairly. They substantiate to outbreaks, and having credible Prof Fisher, an infectious dis- Mr Fernandez said that World breaks out, he said. gage the audience and show their facts and provide balance. news organisations is critical to eases expert, said a lack of good News Day was an opportunity to He said a decision was made by personality. So, we really have to They do not always get it right. this, said the panel. risk communication and commu- make the case that having credi- ST to put all content related to think about how we do things in dif- But there are good reasons The three panellists were Profes- nity engagement could lead to peo- ble media organisations is impor- Covid-19 outside of the paywall as ferent ways,” she said. why readers have turned to sor Dale Fisher, group chief of ple failing to do their part to curb tant to the process of public com- a public service. professional media medicine at the National University the spread of disease. munication, and the health and “We did that with some trepida- [email protected] organisations during the pandemic as they seek reliable information.”

ST’s Singapore editor and vice- In response to a question from Credible media sources one way to president of the Singapore Press the audience on how to coax read- Vital, vigilant journalism Club, discussed the alarm in Singa- ers to listen to information that is (Philippine Daily Inquirer): pore after falsehoods spread on so- inconvenient to them, both Ms “The weaponisation of social fight infodemic, say Asian journalists cial media channels. Rances and Mr Hussain agreed media for the benefit of “I think one area where fake that news on Covid-19 must reach powerful political interests is news and misinformation spread the audience on platforms familiar why journalism has become quite rapidly was among migrant to them such as WhatsApp. even more vital and relevant Dominique Nelson ing in a webinar, titled Covid-19: Indonesians are turning to move- worker communities themselves Wrapping up the session, Ms today. How Can You Contribute?, tele- ments that have appeared in the because they didn’t understand, or Rekhi said tapping credible media In an age where all sorts of cast over and YouTube. grassroots and so-called “experts” didn’t have access to information sources is one way to fight the info- information are at people’s Explanatory journalism and access More than 500 people had signed to plug the information gap, said in their own languages initially,” demic. She said that legacy and tra- fingertips, the work of to reliable information will have up for the webinar. Mr Tama Salim, world news editor he said. ditional media are sources of credi- journalists has become way key roles in dealing with the pan- Facilitated by The Straits Times’ at The Jakarta Post. In the Philippines, Ms Pam ble information, while Mr Salim more daunting but essential, a demic, Asian journalists said at a Asian Insider editor Shefali Rekhi, “Misinformation creeps into the Rances, digital content manager at added that students should ap- constant fight to shine the webinar to mark World News Day the panel took up the issue of the vacant spaces that are lacking at- the Manila Bulletin, said several Fil- proach a mix of news outlets to light of truth against those yesterday. plague of misinformation in Indone- tention by the government... This ipino newsrooms had published ex- fact-check any information. who have the motive and the Misinformation is causing much sia, the Philippines and Singapore, kind of information has resulted in plainers to give readers a better un- World News Day was created in means to suppress it.” alarm and making it difficult for and weighed in on efforts of journal- even influencers and their tens of derstanding of the virus. 2018 and spotlights the relevance countries to tackle the spread of ists to counter the infodemic. thousands of followers falling vic- But Mr Salim said journalists can- of good journalism. coronavirus , they noted. With lack of accurate data from tim,” he said. not know everything there is to The journalists were participat- the Indonesian government, many Fellow panellist Zakir Hussain, know about Covid-19 in Indonesia. [email protected]