Singapore, 6 December 2007 - Singapore’s first Chinese freesheet my paper will be transformed into a full-fledged bilingual newspaper from next month. It will have equal emphasis on the Chinese and English languages so as to offer readers the best of both worlds.
The change is in response to the strong market demand for a newspaper that is in tune with the aspirations of a new generation of Singaporeans educated in both the English and Chinese languages and who are culturally at ease with both western and oriental values.
The popular freesheet will be expanded into a 48-page paper from its current 24-page format, and its daily circulation will increase from 180,000 to 250,000 copies.
Targeted at working adults aged 20 to 40, the bilingual my paper will feature a new and comprehensive English section covering the latest news seen from a fresh perspective, in addition to the current Chinese content. The two sections will not contain translated stories; instead it will be a uniquely blended product in which each piece of news and commentary is presented in the language readers prefer. In short, the bilingual my paper is designed to deliver a fulfilling reading experience to busy and discerning readers who want to keep abreast with both languages.
Mr Goh Sin Teck, the current Editor of my paper, will continue to helm the editorial team of young and vibrant journalists that produces the Chinese section of the paper. Mr Yeow Kai Chai will be the Co-Editor (English) and will lead the English editorial team. Mr Yeow is currently Deputy Editor of The Straits Times’ Life Section. Lending his wealth of journalistic experience to the new product is Mr Felix Soh, a newsroom veteran who will be the Consulting Editor of my paper. Mr Soh, who will continue to be Deputy Editor (Digital Media) of The Straits Times, will oversee the design of the bilingual product. Mr Soh was responsible for the redesigns of The Sunday Times and The Straits Times in 2003 and 2004 respectively.
The launch of the bilingual my paper was announced today at the Singapore Press Holdings (SPH) Annual General Meeting by SPH Chairman Dr Tony Tan, who told shareholders: "It will be a new package never seen before, offering the best of both worlds for Singaporeans."
Mr Robin Hu, Executive Vice President of SPH’s Chinese Newspapers and Newspaper Services, said: "The transformation of my paper into a full-fledged bilingual newspaper is timely as 90 per cent of its current readers are bilingual. It also shows the relentless efforts of the Singapore Press Holdings to grow and innovate its products to meet the aspirations of its readers."
my paper, which is published from Mondays to Fridays, will retain its compact size and will be available at MRT stations, bus interchanges, offices and selected homes.
Issued by Singapore Press Holdings Ltd
Co. Regn. No. 198402868E
For more information, please contact:
Chin Soo Fang
Head
Corporate Communications
Singapore Press Holdings
DID: 6319 1216
Email:soofang@sph.com.sg
Francis Mah
Manager
Corporate Communications
Singapore Press Holdings
DID : 6319 1028
Email : mahys@sph.com.sg
About Singapore Press Holdings Ltd
Newspapers and Magazines
Main board-listed Singapore Press Holdings Ltd (SPH) is the leading
media company in Singapore, delivering news and information through
print, Internet and broadcasting platforms. In Singapore, it publishes
14 newspapers in four languages. Every day, 2.9 million individuals or
81 percent of people above 15 years old, read one of SPH’s news
publications. SPH also publishes over 90 magazine titles in Singapore
and the region, covering a broad range of interests from lifestyle to
information technology.
Internet and Mobile
Beyond print, the Internet editions of SPH newspapers enjoy over 110
million pageviews with 7 million unique visitors every month. Apart
from SPH AsiaOne portal, SPH’s online and new media initiatives include
a revolutionary mobile advertising and information service, ZapCode;
online marketplace for products, services and employment, ST701; and
STOMP (Straits Times Online Mobile Print), a portal that connects,
engages and interacts with readers on the Web and via mobile phone
messaging.
Broadcasting
SPH has a 20 percent stake in MediaCorp TV Holdings Pte Ltd, which
operates free-to-air channels 5, 8, U and TV Mobile, and a 40 percent
stake in MediaCorp Press Pte Ltd, which publishes the free newspaper,
Today. In the radio business, SPH has a 80 percent stake in SPH
UnionWorks Pte Ltd, which operates entertainment stations Radio 100.3
FM in Mandarin and Radio 91.3 FM in English.
Outdoor Advertising
In addition, SPH has ventured into outdoor advertising through its
wholly-owned subsidiary, SPH MediaBoxOffice Pte Ltd, Singapore´s
largest outdoor motion display advertising network media company, and a
35 percent stake in TOM Outdoor Media Group, a leading outdoor
advertising company in China.
Properties
SPH owns and manages Paragon, the prime retail and office complex in
the heart of Orchard Road, Singapore’s main shopping belt. SPH’s
wholly-owned subsidiary, Times Development Pte Ltd, is also developing
a 43-storey upmarket residential condominium, Sky@eleven, at Thomson
Road.