Club Lunch – Independent Journalism in Singapore: Yes, It’s A Thing

Singapore ranks 151st on the Reporters’ Without Borders Press Freedom Index, and legislation allows the government significant influence over the mainstream media. The Internet has allowed individuals to attempt to fill the gaps left by mainstream and traditional media, but challenges remain. The speaker touched on the various efforts at independent journalism in Singapore, how these efforts have fared and why it is important to keep on trying even as the space shrinks.

Kirsten Han is a Singaporean freelance journalist whose work often revolves around the themes of social justice, human rights, politics and democracy. She is the Editor-in-Chief of New Naratif, a member-funded multimedia website for Southeast Asian journalism, art and research. Ms. Han’s stories and commentaries have appeared in publications such as The Guardian, The New York Times, The Washington Post, Asia Times and Waging Nonviolence, covering topics on labour exploitation, LGBT equality and free speech. As an activist, Kirsten advocates for an end to the death penalty in Singapore, and is a founding member of abolitionist group We Believe in Second Chances.