‘Journalism done with, not just for, the audience:’ Lessons from Straits Times
Jaime Ho ‘s LinkedIn profile offers a glimpse into a multidisciplinary background that puts service at the forefront of modern journalism: “From public service, the diplomatic service, to consultancy and journalism, it’s been all about change, and leading through change,” reads his intro.
The editor of Singapore’s Straits Times has a strong background in journalism, diplomacy – he spent 16 years in Singapore’s Foreign Service – and the private sector, as a partner at a global strategic consultancy.
In 2013, he joined MediaCorp as an associate editor with CNA, and led the TV, radio and digital newsrooms; he was later appointed chief editor of the CNA Digital newsroom.
Ho took the helm of Singapore’s oldest, largest English daily in October 2022, and set about leading the 300-strong newsroom’s second digital transformation – with a strong focus on journalism in service to the community.
Last year, to mark The Straits Times’’s 180th anniversary, the daily launched a series of initiatives under the banner, Your Singapore Story, which is still active and accessible: “These are your stories. And we’ll be telling them for generations to come.”
He shares insights on embedding community-driven journalism into newsroom strategy — and why it is essential for trust, impact and relevance.
How do you ensure that community voices are represented fairly and accurately in your reporting?
The Straits Times turned 180 last year. We did many things to mark this momentous occasion, but one thing I wanted to double down on was this idea that journalism is not just something we produce, but something we do with, and for, the people we serve.
As such, many of our celebrations for our 180th anniversary reflected this spirit. From open conversations where audiences could ask us anything in person to a content series reflecting Singaporeans’ own Singapore stories, our guiding principle remains: We serve the broad middle, while ensuring we continue to hear and reflect minority perspectives.
In my view, this is how we remain a truly national publication – one that speaks to, and for, all. And that can only start by listening.
Can you share examples of community-driven stories you are most proud of?
The Straits Times publishes stories we believe are of value to our community every single day. But one of our stories, or rather a strong series of stories in a campaign of sorts, that made huge waves last year highlighted the danger of vaping, especially involving drug-laced vapes, in Singapore.
After months of investigation, we launched a series titled ‘Vaping: The Invisible Crisis’ in July 2025. This series was made possible because of the tenacity of our editors and journalists, as well as the members of the public who were willing to speak to us about this very issue.
These included caregivers to vape addicts, those who lost their loved ones due to this very addiction, as well as an ex-vaper who had to “wash” his lungs multiple times. These stories are raw and powerful, and we are grateful for their trust to tell their stories accurately and well.
In a matter of weeks, during which we saw a surge in audience interest and reactions, the Singapore Government moved decisively on the issue, setting the groundwork for new laws and a strengthened approach.
I would like to think our coverage played a small part in this.
Connecting with our community has brought change in other ways. For instance, as part of our ‘Conversations with The Straits Times’ series of events last year, we spoke with leaders of not-for-profit organisations.
At that session, we discussed ST’s coverage of social issues. The issue of including disability terminology came up quite organically as part of the conversation.
This then prompted a review of the terms we use in the newsrooms, as well as consultations with organisations in the disability sector.
I’m proud to say that in October last year, we officially updated the language we use to describe disability, in an effort to portray persons with disabilities more sensitively and accurately. This will be something that we will continue to evolve on an ongoing basis, done again with the input of the community we serve.
How do you measure the impact of community-driven journalism on both audience and community?
Measurements fall broadly in two categories – qualitative and quantitative. But I’m conscious that more pageviews and higher engagement doesn’t necessarily mean impact.
‘Often, it is the qualitative impact that is not necessarily measurable but felt – when change happens for the better; when people start considering ideas that are contrary to their own; when readers share how they have shifted their perspectives because of our journalism.’
In what ways do you reach out to or connect with your audiences?
For our 180th anniversary, we tried a variety of ways to connect with our audiences in-person and online. Of course, our readers are always welcome to write to us – either to our email inboxes or social media channels, or via letters to our Forum pages, where we see a wide variety of views.
Last year, however, we managed to meet so many more readers from all walks of life. We held six podcast live recording sessions, where attendees could ask the host questions on the spot.
We curated an entire exhibition about The Straits Times’ history and how it has told the Singapore story in the last 180 years – and hopefully 180 more. This roving exhibition went to three locations across Singapore, so we could reach more Singaporeans where they are.
I mentioned this earlier too – as part of ‘Conversations with The Straits Times, we created space for readers to ask us anything in a no-holds-barred conversation.
From students to small business leaders, from parents to youths, we heard suggestions from people with varying perspectives. While we may not be able to take on every suggestion, we are grateful for those who turned up and shared their views with us. In turn, we also hope that we communicated how we operate as a new organisation, and how we make certain decisions.
What advice would you give to other editors looking to foster a more community-oriented approach in their publications?
We first have to listen. News organisations may not want to admit it, but for a long time, news was rather one-way. In a way, that was what “broadcast” meant. The print product was similar. We took in inputs via our reporting, and there was output via our products and platforms.
Expectations have fundamentally changed. We need to relook our fundamental relationship with those we serve, how we serve them, and why.
There are many ways to listen. Yes, often it’s by understanding what audience data tells us. But increasingly importantly, I believe we need to humanise our journalism and make ourselves far more accessible. We need our readers to ask questions about our journalism. We will answer them in good faith, improve and evolve over time with their help.
You’ve written of the balance between trust and reach: How to gain and maintain trust?
The world around us may change more rapidly than we would like, but the tenets of journalism do not and will not change – we will need to produce accurate, timely news that is relevant to our audience’s lives.
This is how I believe we build and maintain trust as news organisations. To not compromise accuracy for speed, to be transparent when we do get it wrong, and to always strive to serve our audiences better in all ways.
Finally, audiences must also see our journalism to be inclusive, relatable and accessible. And if we continue to develop our journalism in the spirit of encouraging moderate and broad conversations across our communities, we would have succeeded in a small way.
