Khaw gains deeper insight into newsroom pressures, journalist challenges

Khaw Boon Wan, stepping down as chairman of SPH Media Trust, said he has developed a more nuanced understanding of the obstacles confronting modern newsrooms and journalists during his tenure.

In remarks reflecting on his experience leading the regional media company, Khaw highlighted the multifaceted pressures facing news organisations in an increasingly fragmented media landscape. He identified tension arising from the need to satisfy diverse audience expectations while maintaining editorial standards as a significant ongoing concern.

The former chairman also underscored the rising threat of online harassment directed at journalists, noting it as a persistent occupational hazard in the digital age. Such hostility can impede reporters' ability to conduct investigations and hold power accountable, he suggested.

These observations come as SPH Media Trust navigates a complex operating environment marked by shifting consumption patterns, competition from digital platforms, and evolving reader expectations across its portfolio of publications serving South and Southeast Asian markets.

Khaw's remarks underscore broader industry challenges facing regional and global news organisations as they work to sustain quality journalism while adapting to technological and social change.