Feature Writing

Authors
Lee Siau Li & Zhou Shiya

Supervisor
Asst Prof Lin Tsui-Chuan Trisha

Year
2013

Abstract
This Chinese news feature focuses on the various adverse social impact of
smartphones on Singapore society. This advancement of technology has not
only revolutionized the mobile phone landscape, but also changed people’s
interaction and relationship with such mobile gadgets. As we praise smartphones
for the convenience it brings to our daily life, some experts have questioned its
effectiveness. While smartphones help one to connect better with a certain group
of people; it can also disconnect one from others.

Click link to view
http://hdl.handle.net/10356/52516

Additional link
http://ditouzu.weebly.com/

Authors
Siau Ming En, Boh Su Huan Samantha & Rachel Loi Shu Yi

Supervisor
Asst Prof Debbie Goh Pei Chin

Year
2013

Abstract
This project focuses on the various healthcare expenses borne by seniors in
Singapore. It digs deep to find out why and where exactly are these costs coming
from. Through research and interviews with academics, eldercare service providers
and seniors, the feature looks at different demographic characteristics of the senior
population in Singapore. Also included is a section which provides details of various
subsidies available to seniors as well as a challenge-solution guide to the latest
assistive devices being sold in Singapore.

Click link to view
http://hdl.handle.net/10356/52572

Authors
Eve Yeo YuPing, Foo Chi Loong Kenneth & Loh Yan Wen Edwin

Supervisor
Ms Hedwig Alfred

Year
2013

Abstract
Singapore’s population is getting all mixed up and there is no stopping it. While the
mixed marriage trend is not new, the uptick in the last decade has been significant.
This rising trend throws up a spread of issues, most of which have no straightforward
solutions. But one thing is clear: we must change the way we perceive race and
national identity. As these marriages slowly blur out the lines on issues of race and
nationality, Singaporeans have to reconsider what makes a Singaporean. Marrying
Out: Singapore’s Mixed Future is a shared account of voices from mixed marriage
couples on the ground to top-level academics and policymakers seeking to chronicle
the current changing demographic landscape and chart the future of the place we
all call home.

Click link to view
http://hdl.handle.net/10356/52523

Authors
Cassandra Yeap June Yi, Cherie Thio Tian Zhen & Nur Asyiqin Binti Mohamad Salleh

Supervisor
Assoc Prof Cherian George

Year
2013

Abstract
Shophouses were, at one point, the dominant building form in Singapore. First
brought to the island by immigrants from Southern China in the 19th century, they
earned widespread popularity across races and social classes because of their
adaptability, and the ease with which they could be built. Now, they are icons
of Singapore’s history and heritage. But shophouses represent more than just
Singapore’s past. Behind the shutters of each shophouse reside inhabitants who
embrace an ethos very different from that of the rest of the population. This feature
seeks to express the spirit of the shophouse lifestyle through the stories of the
people living in and around them. It hopes to uncover perspectives on living that are
timeless – yet especially timely for a society that is grappling with what it will take
to grow successfully.

Click link to view
http://hdl.handle.net/10356/52519

Authors
Goh Shang Zhe Kenneth, Lock Mei Jin Clara & Loh Jiaju Ronald

Supervisor
Asst Prof Andrew Duffy

Year
2013

Abstract
New Age of Heritage is a news feature which examines the new face of Singapore’s
heritage seen through the perspectives of businessmen, designers and collectors
celebrating the future of Singapore’s past. In a rapidly-developing and globalized
Singapore, the age-old concept of heritage has also undergone the winds of change.
More Singaporeans are coming up with new and innovative ways of living with
the past – from selling heritage-themed merchandise, making films on forgotten
landmarks, to incorporating Korean hit Gangnam Style into Peranakan folk songs.

Click link to view
http://hdl.handle.net/10356/52325

Authors
Khew Carolyn Jin-Ny, Chen Shanshan & Valerie Koh Swee Fang

Supervisor
Ms Hedwig Alfred

Year
2013

Abstract
Curtain Call explores the challenges that today’s traditional artists face on a daily
basis, from making a living to finding a successor to hand over the ropes to. In recent
decades, the traditional arts scene in Singapore has been trailing behind the more
well-received contemporary arts industry. But with a $23 million kitty and a five-year
Traditional Arts Plan proposed by the National Arts Council, the languishing state of
the industry looks set to change. In the face of these challenges, many have taken to
modernising their art forms, to the dismay of traditional arts purists. From Peranakan
raps to Heng Hwa string puppetry, Curtain Call takes a closer look at Singapore’s
traditional arts.

Click link to view
http://hdl.handle.net/10356/52501

Authors
Ng Zi Ting Jasmine, Tay Hiok Leng Mark & Chung Ai Jia Krystal Faith

Supervisor
Assoc Prof Cherian George

Year
2013

Abstract

Once the richest country in Southeast Asia, Myanmar is re-entering the world
economy as it emerges from decades of military rule and crippling global sanctions.
In a bid to draw jobs, the country has thrown its doors open to foreign investment
and is working feverishly to introduce new investment laws and modernise its
very basic banking system. Moving In on Myanmar explores the attractiveness of
Myanmar as a business destination and how Singapore, with its historical relations
with the country, is faring in the race for deals in the emerging market.

Click link to view
http://hdl.handle.net/10356/52573

Authors
Amelia Tan Hui Fang & Anjali Raguraman

Supervisor
Asst Prof Andrew Duffy

Year
2013

Abstract

Mixtape Vol 1 takes an in-depth look at the local music scene through interviews
and conversations with local artists. The music community in Singapore can be
described as a clique, an exclusive group of people with different expertise banding
together and promoting each other. Local musicians share a common goal of
wanting to make a name for Singapore artists both domestically and internationally.
Rather than trying to find a “Singapore sound”, local artists are reflecting the
growing global outlook of music.

Click link to view
http://hdl.handle.net/10356/52585

Authors
Candice Choong Wen Qi, Rebecca Lim Hui Ming & Lim Yufan

Supervisor
Asst Prof Debbie Goh Pei Chin

Year
2013

Abstract
Finding My Balance is a feature writing project that centralises around the
overarching theme of work-life balance. The package opens up with the aim to
introduce the ubiquitous, yet vague concept of work-life balance by gathering
opinions on three levels – the government, the company and the individual – to
write the story. Next, it delves into further details about how both low-income
earners and students develop their sense of balance. Finally, it looks at non-PMEB
industries and the struggle of workers to attain their brand of balance.

Click link to view
http://hdl.handle.net/10356/52924

Authors
Cindy Peh Lee Ji, Lin Liying & Teo Sijia

Supervisor
Prof Hao Xiaoming

Year
2014

Abstract
Special education has always received less attention from the public, as compared to mainstream education. Even till today, there is still a lack of public awareness of what it is, and what goes on within the special schools. Parents of special needs children are, unsurprisingly, most concerned about their children’s future. They worry about whether their children can fend for themselves in Singapore’s highly competitive job market. Those with children who have more severe disabilities wonder if their children will be able to receive adequate care when they grow up. Teachers, especially those who have watched the children grow under their guidance, care deeply for them as well. They too hope that the hard work they have put in to train the children will help them lead independent and fulfilled lives. This Chinese feature writing project focuses on the special education sector in Singapore. Through interviews with teachers, principals, parents, students and other people involved in the sector, it aims to provide a balanced and deeper look into what goes on within this often overlooked area of education.

Click link to view
http://hdl.handle.net/10356/59784

Authors
Priscilla Kham, Tan Wen Hui Josephine, Tay Kai Ying Eileen & Tay Qiao Wei

Supervisor
Ms Hedwig Alfred

Year
2014

Abstract
An era is ending for Singapore’s deaf education. Students who need to sign no longer have a special environment to do so. The Singapore School for the Deaf, home to five decades of Deaf culture and history, is set to close in 2016. This comes after more than a decade of falling enrolment as more deaf children enter mainstream schools, with hearing aids and cochlear implants enabling them to speak. But amidst this phenomenon are dissenting voices. At the heart of the issue lies a debate between sign language and speaking. With speech, a deaf person is no longer seen as disabled in a society that prizes fitting in. But in this pursuit to integrate with the hearing world, sign language—touted by deaf advocates as crucial for cognitive development and identity building—is being set aside as the last resort.

Click link to view
http://hdl.handle.net/10356/59930

Authors
Danson Cheong Jingfu, Theodora Theresa D’cruz & Annabelle Liang Yanting

Supervisor
Ms Hedwig Alfred

Year
2014

Abstract
This is what modern day slavery looks like – men from impoverished Southeast Asian countries are promised lucrative jobs on the high seas, but they end up working on deep-sea fishing vessels. Human rights abuses are rife on these boats which catch high-value artisanal fish such as bluefin tuna and swordfish – some of which end up on Singapore’s dinner plates. These long-haul boats can remain at sea for three years, and the men are often subject to long working hours, physical abuse, and a lack of proper medical attention and nutrition. These men, from countries such as Cambodia, the Philippines, Indonesia and Vietnam, are trafficked onto boats that berth in Singapore and other ports overseas, and Singapore agencies are involved in their deployment. Combatting this cross-border problem in Singapore is difficult because trafficking is not outlawed in the country.

Click link to view
http://hdl.handle.net/10356/59855

Authors
Celine Chen Xueli, Lai Yee San Tami & Liao Xiangjun

Supervisor
Ms Hedwig Alfred

Year
2014

Abstract
Parents are now more curious about school matters, and schools have had to adapt to the needs and wants of this generation of parents. This means educators spend more time engaging and reaching out to parents on top of an already-heavy workload. This journalism feature looks beyond the common labels attached to parents’ behaviour, such as “competitive”, “kiasu” and “kancheong”, to examine what exactly about the education landscape of today is driving their actions, and how it is manifesting in schools.

Click link to view
http://hdl.handle.net/10356/59910

Image Credit
Featured image GYPS P1 classroom by Flickr user Cassandra Turner. CC BY 2.0.

Authors
Chia Shu Fen Isabel, Sara Yap Soon Yen & Yang Yujian Calvin

Supervisor
Asst Prof Debbie Goh Pei Chin

Year
2014

Abstract
Beyond School Hours is a feature that uncovers the importance of student care in Singapore education. The demand for school-based and community-based student care centres (SCCs) providing care and supervision to school-going children has increased over the last few years. With a demand for more student care services, the feature exposes the business of SCCs as parents and operators fight for a share of the pie, exploring issues like the rise of school-based SCCs and the keen competition in the heartlands. It also sheds light on how student care has evolved in the market through minimal governmental involvement and the diversity of needs it addresses.

Click link to view
http://hdl.handle.net/10356/59849

Authors
Xu Morong, Chen Xushuang & Zheng Chunying

Supervisor
Asst Prof Lin Tsui-Chuan, Trisha

Year
2015

Abstract
This is a Chinese language online feature focused on the issue of mobile health (mHealth) applications and how they relate to the well-being and needs of older adults in Singapore. The website features the definitions of mHealth by various parties, the main types of mobile health applications that are most commonly available to the public, factors affecting usage, responses from elderly who have tried the applications, views and expectations from doctors and application developers, and responses from people belonging to a younger generation who may be tasked with caring for elderly family members in future.

Click link to view
http://hdl.handle.net/10356/62717

Additional links
http://mhealthandelderly.weebly.com/

Authors
Tan Tam Mei, Tham Wai Ying Thrina & Toh Ee Ming

Supervisor
Mr Wong Kim Hoh

Year
2015

Abstract
This feature chronicles the stories of people left behind by suicide – a son trying to hold his family together, a grief-stricken mother who is looking
to adopt, a husband who copes by baking, and a friend who is trying to make
amends. Every story is different, but a common thread binds them, reminding
us that no matter how difficult or painful the circumstances, the human spirit
can prevail. Suicide remains a taboo in Singapore, and through our book, we hope to create more awareness about this vulnerable group, as well as raise more conversations about suicide prevention and postvention. For survivors still suffering in silence, know that you are not alone in this journey. Perhaps this book will offer some comfort and more importantly, give you the strength and hope to keep pushing on.

Click link to view
http://hdl.handle.net/10356/62496

Authors
Amanda See, Lim Wei Shun Benjamin, Muhammad Kamarredzwan bin Kamarudin & Seow Bei Yi

Supervisor
Mr Wong Kim Hoh

Year
2015

Abstract
“Help unlock the second prison.” This slogan, a hallmark of the Yellow Ribbon Project, is a silent companion of the ex-offender, presenting itself at various stages of reintegration. It watches from the walls of transitional shelters, from the offices of volunteer welfare organisations and is a source of purpose for counsellors and social workers. It advertises at bus stops and on television screens, urging the public to keep an open mind and reminding ex-offenders of the difficult journey that lies ahead. It is a mark of the progress made and challenges that remain.

Click link to view
http://hdl.handle.net/10356/63188

Authors
Brian Leonal, Stefanus Ian & Tan Li Jun Sheena

Supervisor
Mr Wong Kim Hoh

Year
2015

Abstract
Mining for More is a business journalism project that examines the ripples of Indonesia’s mineral export ban after its implementation in 2014. Stefanus and Sheena visited the remote idle bauxite mines in West Kalimantan while Brian braved the gridlocked concrete jungle of Jakarta as the three of them spent two weeks interviewing and taking photographs. Being a major exporter of bauxite and copper, Indonesia’s decision to ban the export of raw minerals impacted the global commodities market heavily. The project examines the struggles of the people on the ground and the effects of the ban on various industries that are interlinked with the mines. Various lucrative investment opportunities in multiple industries are also being created as a result of the ban in Indonesia, which is also Southeast Asia’s largest economy. Many companies and analysts are scrutinising the government’s next move as they await the direction the country will choose under Mr Joko Widodo’s leadership.

Click link to view
http://hdl.handle.net/10356/63360

Authors
Yee Shu Yan Wendy & Thor Xing Ying Venessa

Supervisor
Mr Wong Kim Hoh

Year
2015

Abstract
Cyber bullying is known as online harassment, and vice versa – though the latter is commonly viewed as more offensive and severe. We would like to correct that misconception. In light of the Protection from Harassment Act that was enacted in November 2014, we revisit this social issue and bring it to centre stage. In this package, cyber wellness experts, lawyers, social workers, counsellors and psychologists weigh in on the problem. And most admirably, victims of online harassment rehash their experiences to bring the issue to light. With Singaporeans being more brazenfaced and bolder online – we clinched second place for cyber bullying cases in a 2012 Microsoft study – we want to ask, why?. Looking through the lens of our profile interviewees, it is evident that the scars left by online harassment are indelible, though invisible to most. These are the stories of a few brave ones, out of the many others who suffer in silence.

Click link to view
http://hdl.handle.net/10356/63185

Image Credit
Featured image Praha VIII by Flickr user Reena Mahtani. CC BY 2.0.

Authors
Poh Mei Yan Renee, See Min-Er Hilary & Tay Jasmine

Supervisor
Mr Wong Kim Hoh

Year
2015

Abstract
The art market has boomed in recent years, with gallery clusters mushrooming across Singapore and an increasing number of art fairs, from just one in 2000 to eight in 2014, affirming the growing interest in art amongst Singaporeans.

Art-related businesses such as framing and art insurance have also seen an increase in business due to the increase in art activity here. Singapore is fast on track to becoming Southeast Asia’s arts hub, a notion the government had planned 26 years ago. This feature package attempts to show a clearer picture of how different stakeholders in the art market are doing, what to expect when you visit potential places to buy art and also the inevitable dangers that have arose from this trend. The side stories present a refreshing insight into the art business from non-conventional art industry players.

Click link to view
http://hdl.handle.net/10356/63181

Image Credit
Featured image The Emperor’s New Jewels by Flickr user Andreas Fusser. CC BY 2.0.

Author
Jacqueline Ambrose

Supervisor
Mr Wong Kim Hoh

Year
2015

Abstract
This is an illustrated feature project that documents the lives of five old-world traders in modern Singapore. These are people who continue to make things with their hands. We have a dumpling skin maker, a sugar sculpture maker, a traditional muah chee maker, a knife and scissors sharpener, and a rattan weaver. We discover where they are now, and give attention to the path they’ve journeyed.

Click link to view
http://hdl.handle.net/10356/63482

Authors
Andrew Toh Yong Ren & Raphael Lim Yeok Kiang

Supervisor
Mr Wong Kim Hoh

Year
2015

Abstract
No other subject has so inflamed the passions of Singaporeans as the integrated resorts (IR). First proposed in 2004 by then Minister for Trade and Industry George Yeo, the subject immediately drew a maelstrom of views from the public. Five years on, it seems the worst fears have been misplaced. Opening their doors to the public just as the global economy was gathering pace after the 2008 financial crisis, the resorts helped Singapore’s economy roar back from where it had languished, far ahead of the recovery in neighbouring countries in the region. But along with the blistering financial and economic results came more sobering news. Numerous support groups have reported seeing a rise in the number of people seeking treatment for gambling addiction. As the country grapples with the repercussions of the resorts, both good and bad, questions have been raised about whether the integrated resorts have delivered as much as the government has promised. Those questions are still being asked today.

Click link to view
http://hdl.handle.net/10356/63173

Image Credit
Featured image Come Away With Me by Flickr user Thomas Hawk. CC BY 2.0.

Authors
Tiffany Goh Qi Qi, Steffi Koh Min Xuan, Amir Bin Yusof, Goh Rui Qi

Supervisor
Asst Prof Debbie Goh Pei Chin

Year
2016

Abstract
This is a feature writing project on how different sectors of Singapore’s society manage post-traumatic stress, and it looks into whether the country is psychologically prepared for crises. Collated into a feature magazine, the stories are split into three main segments, spanning from the preparation measures taken by nation to the social and legal challenges faced by trauma survivors. The stories are interspersed with snapshots showcasing healing options that trauma survivors turn to, aside from conventional psychotherapy and medication.

Click link to view 
http://hdl.handle.net/10356/66870

Authors
Rebecca Faith Iskandar Tjoa Shu Fei, Rahimah Beghum Bte Abdul Rashith

Supervisor
Asst Prof Debbie Goh Pei Chin

Year
2016

Abstract
An aging population without the caregivers to match. Singapore is ageing at an unprecedented rate. There is a lot of talk about letting the elderly lead a more dignified life but largely absent from the conversation are the people who support these seniors.

People who are not dying but still battle sickness around them each day. People who worry about the health of others as their own. People who are caregivers of the elderly. These are not the healthcare professionals who spend years in training but every day people who dedicate years of their lives to caring for their loved ones as age catches on. Caregivers are women, men, daughters, sons, in-laws, spouses, maids, friends, colleagues and family members, who are pillars of support in times of their loved ones’ old age. Yet, each faces unique hurdles in his or her circumstances.

Half a century of increasing life expectancy has spread the weight of caring for a growing number of elderly over the smaller families of today. Caregivers are stretched thin as family sizes shrink and some become the default choice as caregiver in the family. They can feel like a population abandoned— aching bodies, lost time, vanishing savings— they shoulder the burden of looking after their loved ones, ignoring the strain on their own backs. In return, they lose out at work, miss important social gatherings and worse, neglect their own needs.

As a modern society entrenched in conservative values, it has become shameful to ask for help. Ageing issues are kept behind closed doors even as families struggle to cope with caring for their elders.

In this research, the project team spoke to experts, counsellors and researchers, and gathered stories of caregivers who shared their trials and tribulations, strength and sorrows. Here are the stories.

Click link to view
http://hdl.handle.net/10356/66686

Authors
Ng Li-Ting Andrea, Catherine Jane Nicholas, Nur Diyanah Binte Abdul Aziz, Smita Wee Shu Min

Supervisor
Asst Prof Debbie Goh Pei Chin

Year
2016

Abstract
The roots of literature in Singapore stretch back to the island’s colonial past, when it was used to teach students the values of their English colonial masters. When Singapore gained independence in 1965, there was less of a need to study such values, neither was there space for an art form seen to contribute little to the economic progress of pragmatic Singapore. Snuffed by society in its decades-long push for progress through math and the sciences, and by students for being a “hard to score” subject, literature’s place fell behind.

Yet, despite that, the literature scene has been quietly blooming on its own, with passionate characters doing their part to push literature further to the forefront of society and into the hearts of Singaporeans. This feature writing final year project thus seeks to explore the different characters in the close-knit Singapore literature scene as they work to keep literature alive in Singapore. All the while, overcoming the challenges of old and new times, particularly, the notorious enemy of the pen and paper – electronics and digital platforms.

Click link to view
http://hdl.handle.net/10356/66796

Authors
Nicole Chia Hui Ming, Ng Xiang Ting Charmaine, Ng Gewen Godwin, Constance Yeo Hui Ting

Supervisor
Asst Prof Debbie Goh Pei Chin

Year
2016

Abstract
This feature writing project is a culmination of stories on Singapore’s multiracialism and progress in achieving equality for all races. It is brought together by more than 60 interviews with individuals, experts, politicians and activists.

Throughout Singapore’s 50 years of independence, multiracialism has been one of the core tenets of the country’s governance, and has been continually emphasised by the government as a key to the country’s social stability and economic success. But recent stocktakes of interracial relationships among Singaporeans and notable pushback from minority races hint at room for improvement in racial relations. While the government has put in place measures to combat racial prejudice from surfacing in areas such as politics and public housing, stereotypes, prejudices and even discrimination still manifest among Singaporeans on the ground.

Through the themes of discrimination, representation and identity, this project looks at the state of interracial relations among students, teachers, colleagues and families. It highlights the types of racism experienced every day by minority races; the actions taken by activists to bring these issues to light in a society where talking about race is considered taboo; and the efforts by minority groups trying to assert their ethnic identity.

Click link to view
http://hdl.handle.net/10356/66859

Author
Liu Ting Ting

Supervisor
Prof Hao Xiaoming

Year
2016

Abstract
This is a Chinese language feature on immigration and integration policies in Singapore. The immigration and integration issue is one that is complex and difficult to unravel. Numerous government policies have been mooted and implemented to better integrate immigrants into Singapore society, to varying degrees of success.

Out of the many recent policies, none is perhaps as controversial as the Population White Paper of 2013 (National Population and Talent Division, 2013) which suggested amongst many things – that a population of 6.9 million is necessary for Singapore’s economy to remain competitive (National Population and Talent Division, 2013). The groundswell of opinions that arose from the incident solidified it as one of the most important events that highlighted the tension that existed between Singaporeans, new citizens and the migrant workforce. Incidents such as the Little India riot in the later part of the year and local protest against the Philippines Independence Day event, the following year, only served to further divide public opinion on the matter (Tan K. P., 2015).

While the mainstream media have addressed the issue of immigration and integration in the aftermath of these incidents, commentary of these incidents have often been single dimensional. News reports addressing immigration and integration concerns usually take on the format of a group of scholars discussing the issue alongside government officials (Lim, 2015). What these reports tend to overlook are the alternate voices that have found a platform and audience via social media. While these voices have a tendency to project controversial sentiments and/or populist ideas, what is undeniable is that these voices, together with the narratives supplied by the mainstream media form a collective opinion on the issues of immigration and integration (Chong, 2015).

It has been three years since the controversial Population White Paper and it is a good time to take stock of the various initiatives that have since taken place. Through the interviews with members of the academia, “controversial” figures and the “men/women-in-the-street”, the author collected a compilation of stories and ideas in an attempt to provide a clearer picture of the current challenges and issues surrounding immigration and integration, as well as point the way forward for the future.

Click link to view
http://hdl.handle.net/10356/66872

Authors
Choy Xin Ying, Lu Yawen

Supervisor
Prof Hao Xiaoming

Year
2016

Abstract
This is a Chinese journalism feature series on female ex-offenders in Singapore which focuses on the self, family and community effort in their rehabilitation journey. It explores the different challenges faced by female ex-offenders (as compared to male ex-offenders) in reintegrating into society successfully.

A series of features tells of how imprisonment changed an ex-offender’s attitude to life and how being employed played an important role in her reintegration journey (摆脱毒品 争得自由); how opportunities of employment through rehabilitation programmes helped ex-offenders get back on track (重回职场 自力更生); how family played different roles in two ex-offenders’ life and the relationship of incarcerated mothers and their children (为了家 不再回头); how volunteers provided ex-offenders with social support in their reintegration (义工故事: 让她们找回灵的归宿); how an ex-offender used her background to connect easily with other ex-offenders and the reasons behind her avid volunteering work (迷途知返 不再孤‘毒’).

Click link to view
http://hdl.handle.net/10356/66837