Singapore Press Holdings Media Day Camp

An Enriching Experience to Singapore Press Holdings

On 14 and 15 June 2010, the Creative Circle members took part in a workshop organized by the Straits Times Media Club. The two-day agenda provided opportunities for students to be involved in many exciting activities besides honing their abilities in journalism.

These are the highlights of the programme:

On Day 1, Senior Vice President of the Singapore Press Holdings, Mr Peter Khoo, addressed the students on ‘The Newspaper Industry’. We were amazed as he shared with us interesting facts of the SPH centre like the revenue of advertisements they received per year. Then, we were given a talk by Ms Bertha Henson, the Associate Editor of Strait Times. Many were awed as she told her experiences reporting on a riot in Singapore a few decades ago. After that, we were divided into groups in the segment ‘Who are you in the Newsroom?’ Ms Serene Goh, the editor of IN, Little Red Dot and YouthINK, assigned the different groups to brainstorm on creative and innovative ideas.

We also took the opportunity to mingle with other students from different schools. There was also a session on news photography by Mr Bryan van der Beek, an Executive Photojournalist. We were grateful for the tips he gave on ways to take a good shot and we were fascinated by the marvelous pictures which he had taken before. The last segment for the day was on interviewing and reporting. Mr Marc Lim, the Assistant News Editor, also taught on how to be a good reporter. His advice was indeed useful as students practically used his tips during the interview with the special guest on the following day. We headed home afterwards, looking forward to the next day.

On Day 2, we were excited to go for a tour at the Strait Times and the Information Resource Centre. We got a sneak peek at the journalists’ workplace. When we got back to the News centre, we were star-struck by popular deejays, Jeremy Ratnam and Boy Thunder from Radio 91.3FM .

They were hilarious and we were very entertained with the games they held. The fun did not stop there. We even went to the Print Centre at 2 Jurong Port Road which prints, sorts and distributes 17 newspaper titles. We learn that the ink circulating system consists of more than 1.2km of piping! The last programme of the Straits Times Media Club Camp was the Press Conference with the world champion bowler, Remy Ong. Let’s hear on what Remy Ong had to say.

Q: What are your plans to help the future generation?

Remy: When I retired, I would like to be a coach in the national team. It is my dream to have my own bowling academy.


Q: Who is your bowling hero?

R: [looked stunned] I don’t have a bowling hero. But, I have some people who I looked up to like my family, coaches, my President and my federation.


Q: What is your most regretful moment?

R: I left school at the age of 16. It’s a big risk. Given another chance, I would not do it. Please do not do the same thing.


Q: How do you manage your time?

R: I have to manage my time well. I need to travel to other countries a lot of time. It’s a give and take thing. If you definitely love your family, find effort [to spend time with them].


Q: What is your motto in life?

R: It’s the word that I love and hate. Live my dream.

By: Nur Ardillah