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Despite strong Christian connections, SingaNews CEO Mathew Yap appeals for netizens to judge the news portal by its content.
Terence Lee / Deputy Editor
DESPITE having all $90,000 of its seed funding coming from Singaporean Christians, SingaNews CEO Mathew Yap has rubbished any notion that the online news website will serve a “Christian agenda”.
Also, none of the funds have been raised from local or foreign churches or Christian organisations, he added. Without giving specific names, Mr Yap said that the contributions have all come from individuals who had given from their personal capacities.
While only set to launch in mid-October, SingaNews has already drawn flak and garnered widespread attention from netizens and the mainstream media. The grouse: Speaking on the same platform as former NMP and law academic Thio Li-Ann at a Christian event held last Wednesday.
Ms Thio is well-known for being outspoken about her Christian-based beliefs against homosexuality. However, she has so far denied any involvementwith the news portal. Mr Yap has also denied that Ms Thio has provided funding for the news portal.
When quizzed by The Online Citizen about the decision to hold the “soft launch” at a Christian event, Mr Yap said that it was not a launch at all. Instead, it was a “market presentation to a private business networking group to introduce the idea.” He revealed that many details about SingaNews are far from finalised, such as how the news portal aims to sustain itself monetarily over the long run.
Against allegations of habouring a Christian agenda, he emphasised that SingaNews is a secular organisation promoting a diversity of viewpoints. Mr Yap has also cautioned against using the “religious card” in criticising SingaNews, calling it “discriminatory and dangerous”.
Speaking out strongly against SingaNews’ critics, he said: “Are you suggesting it is wrong for people of the same faith to come together and do something for Singapore because they care? Why are Christians treated differently? Is that not a form of discrimination? Why not wait and read the product and evaluate after that?”
Despite the tough questions asked online, at least one blogger is sympathetic towards the news portal: “to hinder and silence SingaNews, while being indicative of the intolerance most of us seek to battle, will be bad for dialogue.”
However, the blogger, who is called Sam, has expressed other concerns about the website. He is afraid that when “Christian folks try to pass off their ideology, doctrine and values as universal, [there will be] severe implications. Some get left out of the picture, while the presence and ideas of others become invalidated, delegitimised.”
A check with the SingaNews Charter sent in by Mr Yap reveals that Sam’s concerns may not be unfounded. The document states that the news portal aims to be “a credible source of independent and objective news and commentary for the Singapore public, reflecting mainstream values, interests and concerns.”
It also plans to promote “mainstream values that our society shares and which regards the generational family structure as the bedrock of the nation” as well as “truth, peace, compassion, harmony and justice which we all share, whatever our ideological persuasions.”
When asked in The New Paper to elaborate what mainstream family values mean, Mr Yap said that he meant a “generational, natural family which focuses on procreation”, or more explicitly, “a man, his wife, with a view to procreation.”
While some, such as prominent blogger Alex Au might construe such rhetoric as being “anti-gay”, Mr Yap argues that believing in the family as the basic unit of society is not something exclusive to Christians, but a belief held by people of all races and religions.
Furthermore, he has also emphasised that the website will be open to alternative views.
“Any meaningful debate must involve examining issues from different points-of-views in an intellectually honest and civil manner, without fear of labels,” he said, citing the example of the repeal 377A debate, which has driven a schism between many Singaporeans. Mr Yap has voiced no objections about putting up an article that supports a repeal of the controversial legislation.
Despite the criticisms, Mr Yap seems sure that SingaNews will be able to fulfill its stated mission.
Portraying an air of confidence about the professionalism and neutrality of his news staff, he dismissed the idea that SingaNews would succumb to bias in its news reporting and commentary. Despite the Christian background of many of the editors, Mr Yap reiterated his staff’s commitment to “fair, accurate and objective” reporting.
Other than having some non-Christians on the editorial team, he further revealed that Singanews will be approaching several Muslim candidates for the Malay section.
Nonetheless, when asked by The Online Citizen about any sort of checks and balances that would be in place to ensure objectivity, he simply said:
“I think it’s clear from the Charter what the principles and approach of SingaNews will be. Again, I am afraid you seemed to be pre-judging.”
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Hi Sloo,
You are speaking as if it is a crime to be “highly educated, to come from the same religious backgroud, to attend the same church, to make public speeches using the exact same phrases and to be rich”.
You are jumping to the conculsion that Thio, Lau and her husband are “ now the team behind SingaNews”.
To lay down my position clearly: I think SingaNews comes from the same night soil bin as the Shitty Times. So you do not have to question me about it being the representative of mainstream views.
I agree that it is questionable whether the govt holds mainstream views. Unfortunately, between the sky and the earth we have to submit to one or the either. In this case, we trust that the govt has the relevant information to take the decision it has taken. Would you rather place your trust on group of gays? Surely you won’t, like you will never place your trust in a bunch of get-together Christians.
I shall not reply to your last few points on TOC as they are not relevant, as pointed out by TOC, and for which I respect.
I always find it ironic that the people who like to bandy the word ‘objective’ are usually the least objective people.
What exactly is this ‘objectivity’? Can any single platform be completely objective, free from the bias of the writers and editors?
Isn’t precisely because no one can every be fully objective, that’s why it’s important for diversity of information? Isn’t it because we don’t trust any single news source to be objective which is why we get our info from different news sources and perspectives? Isn’t that the same reason why we find Rear Admiral Lui’s comments on ST being ‘objective’ laughable? And here we have Matthew Yap, a veteran ex ST journalist no less, saying that Singanews is an ‘objective’ news platform which ‘plans to promote family values’… how can one be objective and biased at the same time?
If that’s the case then we should just listen to ourselves. We are all bias one way or another. Our comments are based on biased pov. There is no way for us to be objective then. Is there a solution to this?
So, let the SingingNews go ahead and do what it must do. Singaporeans are no longer that gullible. We have to start trusting our fellow countrymen for a change – objective or not.
Believe it or not, I’m actually looking forward for it to come out. There are some things you just love to hate. :P
Genmani
I have never said it was a crime to be highly educated, rich or christian. I highlighted the fact that the people behind singanews have the same background (and views!) as the Thioliban group. You asked for specifics, i highoighted them to you. Pls do not put words into my mouth.
I have never said that the Thios was behind Singanews (even though she happened to be the speaker at the same event). Even if they are not obviously connected, i find it hard to believe that they do not move in similar circles considering they were both speakers at the same event held at a church. Note that TLA did not deny knowing Matthew Yap; she only denied knowledge of Singanews.
And no i dun think the site is affiliated to the govt. In fact, i think the site WANTS to be connected in some way or other to the govt, PAP and ST. See how they higlight their journalistic credentials.
And fyi, i do trust the govt on certain issues, especially in their defination of the secular space and racial / religiopus harmony. And in a secular space, consideration has to be given to all humna beings, regardless of whether they are religious, gays, minorities or not. Only when individuals intend harm to society or upset the balance of our secular society, then they shall be ignored and dealt with. I don’t not see how that implies or infers that i rather trust a group of gays…in fact if gays, or anyone else is able to perform effectively in any meritocratic society and mainatin peace, harmony and cohesiveness, i would certainly vote or support them.
You gay obsession starts again and is totally ireelevant in this instance. How you manage to link gays with everything negative is amazing.
We have ShittyTimes, now how about having ShittyNews ?
Hi Sloo,
I get your point but I think you’re the one who is obsessed with the gays. My comment was made for both the Christian and the gay but you have chosen to point out the gay comment only. How strange.
My suggestion, if it is anything to you, is that you cannot have a balanced and objective (..oops!..) reasoning based on conjecture.
Dear Gemani
As a charismatic evangelical xtian myself, ok albeit anot very devout as I have stopped church going for sometime due to business and work, I have chosen to listen to some of what COOS has been preaching on its website.
Firstly Pastor Hong and I suspect his flock does not get it. His message to his congregation in his sermons was , ” Submit to authority” as long as they do not “cross your conscience or beliefs.” His message to his congregation was that they were being attacked for their beliefs by those groups with a political agenda. and that they should stick by them :_)). He was unapologetic for his beliefs even when chided by prominent senior clergy who suggested he repent and etc and chose to give some what misleading examples.
No one is persecuting him for his beliefs, everyone is criticizing him for how these beliefs are being delivered.
1. He gave examples of xtian persecution in Nigeria and suggested that the attacks on the in Singapore were equivalent. Firstly those people in Nigeria in their wisdom were preaching a xtian God in Muslim areas. I hardly rate the response of liberals and secularist alike to the AWARE issue as equivalent.
2. He gave the example of Dianel who was forced but refused to bow down to foreign gods. Who in the world is forcing Pastor Hong to bow down in front of a foreign god, or to worship a gay one ? Liberals would say Pastor Hong is free to well worship his god and errr muslims their, and errr ditto buddhists, and if a more gay accepting and tolerant community is equivalent to forcing him to worship a foreign god, then he should have his head examined.
3. He has to accept that mainstream value’s arguments etc work when 55% of American’s are church going and evangelical. He really really needs to look closer at the demographics in Singapore.
Locke
Labarum
Bro’, i stand by what i have said
History speaks for itself
Be brave enough to face the facts
If speaking out fearlessly about the true state of affairs is sedition to you so be it
Lions are only a couple of thousand
Chickens are there in their billions
For all we know, SingaNews is a government initiative whose aim is to moderate a certain segment of the Christian community that is now polarising the society.
Dear Budamaxx1952,
I fear you gravely misunderstand me. I take offense at your generalization, nothing else. I do concede that the Crusades, Jihads and many other tragedies have arose from the Abrahamic faiths. Human history has indeed been tainted, badly, by the actions of those who subscribe to the Abrahamic faiths.
What I do take offense with is that you said that “All the problems of the world, for over 2000 years, until today has been caused by those 3 Abrahamic faiths”. Clearly, this is not true. Yes, some tragedies were caused by people who subscribe to Abrahamic faiths and profess to carry out acts in accordance with their beliefs. At the same time, many other “problems of the world”, as you put it, have arose because of reasons other than those you have put forward. As such, your use of absolutes here is unjustified.
“All spiritualistic faiths from any other part of the world (excluding the Abrahamic faiths) are all peaceful and aspire towards the UNITY of all sentient beings. That is why anything to do with those Abrahamic faiths bring out the worst in man.” I am sure you agree with me that the Abrahamic faiths preach peace too, despite what some may have done in the name of their religion. I, a Christian of the Pentecostal denomination, know for sure that Christianity, or at least the branch of it I practice, is peaceful. Lastly, I doubt the Abrahamic faiths bring out the worst in mankind. As I mentioned before, pouring the clean water of good, pure faith in dirty pitchers that are but some of us will surely produce…well, dirty water.
Man is ultimately fallible and corruptible. It does not matter what religion you subscribe too, or for that matter, lack of one. Pol Pot (sorry if I spelled it wrong) did not subscribe to any of the Abrahamic faiths, no?
I do hope that you do not see my comment on you bordering on sedition (note: bordering) as being antagonistic. I meant it as a reminder that your comments may have been…poorly received by some. Please do not take offense at that.
I urge you to reconsider your generalizations. That is all that I take offense with, your generalizations. At the end of the day, what is most important is tolerance, and that no one tries to forcibly (as some may say) stuff one’s religion down another’s throat, or put down others’ for that matter.
Oh, by the way, keep to the topic of Singanews here (:
Peace,
Labarum
Dear Locke,
This is going to be difficult for me and I must state clearly that by answering your pov, I am not agreeing that Pastor Hong has anything to do with SingaNews. You see, the general paranoiac conclusion here and all over the SG cyberspace is that the COOS and SingaNews are linked.
The only link I can make of SingaNews is to SPH and the government – as stipulated quite clearly in point #10 of the other thread on SingaNews.
Just to briefly reply to your comments: you can never prevent people from drawing their own conclusion to what they read and understand. This applies to the religious, of all levels, as well as to those who believe in the world, at whatever level.
I have also mentioned previously that religion cannot be understood by the thinking mind. It has to be understood by the spirit within. A sentence that contains a threat can be a sentence of love, and an expression of love can be an expression of hatred. That’s religion – the understanding of the spirit, not the mind.
Hahahahaha. I take it the pun was unintended.
Anyway, I find the anti-gay hysteria hysterical! Can u imagine what news portals wld be like if they were to be filled with news written by the uninformed with a strong dose of prejudice? Let’s stop shouting at one another and try and discuss issues. For the record, I am Catholic and my religion is anti-gay sex but not gays as people. And while I am not gay, I hv many gay friends who are very nice people. Nicer than the raging anti-gays.
Whenever a topic concerns Christian fundies, we find their vigilantes on the Internet engaged in full fury with their lies, deceits, distortions, deviations and playing the victim card.
That SingaNews is most likely another Christian fundie initiative is in no doubt, if the fundie vigilantes presence here is an indication.
# 102) Zefly (aka Joshua Chiang)
Whenever a topic concerns Christian fundies, we find their vigilantes on the Internet engaged in full fury with their lies, deceits, distortions, deviations and playing the victim card.
That SingaNews is most likely another Christian fundie initiative is in no doubt, if the fundie vigilantes presence here is an indication.
# 102) Zefly (aka Joshua Chiang) is of course right to say that those who claimed to be objective is anything but being objective…………….it is of course the Christian fundies’ RUSE to deceive lesser minded people of their (fundies) insidious attempt to impose their dogma on the rest of society in Singapore.
Don’t people, other than the fundies themselves, ask themselves WHY IS IT THAT ONLY THE CHRISTIAN FUNDIES talk about “SECULAR MILITARISM”, but NOT the HINDUS, MUSLIMS, TAOISTS, BUDDHISTS etc?
Hmmmmmm
SingaNews?
What a change of tactic.
But what i find more interesting is those that try to distract our attention by
trying to associate the particular news portal with goverment.
Interesting nontheless.
The people behind SingaNews must be rubbing their hands with glee. All this publicity for free. As they say in the business, we accept any kind of publicity.
Still, let’s see how SingaNews shapes up. Let’s not condemn it before it has even launched its first issue.
Otherwise, we will all be seen as a bunch of naysayers, who have got nothing else better to do.
Come on, some one said, I may not agree with you or even like you, but I will defend to the death your right to speak ! Give them a chance, if people do not like the content, then the website will die an ordinary death. Otherwise, they maybe martyed!
For those who like a conspiracy theory and KEZU (#116)
Think about it:
1. Thio Li Ann was one of the pappy approved NMPs. Where is her loyalty likely to lie? Note that she is one of the main protaganists in the current religious thrust. Together with her feminist-mentor mother, who was once the Dean of the Faculty of Law, they’ll know how far they can go within the limits of the law.
2. Pinky doesnt have much to show for his current term in office. The ground is fast souring and time is running out till the next elections. Ditto WKS esp after Mas Selamat’s escape.
When the people cannot see a need for the leaders, any leader, who wants to keep his job, will have to CREATE that need.
Another strategy could be to let the identified problem fester till becomes serious enough for the public to BEG for intervention when the problem could have been easily nipped in the early stages.
Dont you find it strange that the media has been giving Thio-liban such inordinate amount of coverage? Are they giving her enough rope to hang herself?
When LKY was in charge, such buds wouldnt never even have had a chance to see daylight.
3. Who are the only ones who have the resources and power to solve such social problems? Who are the ones who are likely to benefit from such high publicity resolutions?
This opportunity allows for pinky & WKS to intervene and be seen to solve the public issue.
With the help of a compliant media, they can then trumpet their win to precede the imminent elections. With a co-ordinated media campaign, it is quite easy to sway the gullible middle ground voters.
As Shakespeare once wrote: “All the worlds a stage, and all the men and women merely players.”
Dont take things at face value.