Strategic Issues Management Plan

ASSIGNMENT 1

· Client: Singapore Press Holdings

· Target Audience: Adults

ISSUE ANALYSIS 1

· Article Link: https://www.ipsos.com/en-sg/susceptibility-singaporeans-towards-fake-news

· Article title: The susceptibility of Singaporeans towards fake news

· Issued by: Ipsos (Global Independent Market Research Agency)

· Key Messages:

1. Singaporeans are inaccurate in identifying fake news.

2. Singaporeans accessed the news more frequently via nontraditional channels than traditional channels.

3. Singaporeans are reliant upon social media as a source of information (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter).

· Relevance (key Issues):

A Survey to find out how well Singaporean can identify fake news was conducted online from 30 July 2018 – 2 August 2018, age 15-65 years old. Only 79% of Singaporeans are confident in their ability to identify fake news and the levels of vulnerability on fake news are higher among parents. Certain demographic groups are more likely to priorities the truthfulness of the news, however irrespective of educational attainment and media consumption habits, Singaporeans find it difficult to discern between real and fake news. Singapore Press Holdings play an important role to publish authentic news and ensure that fake news should not be published in any form of media channels.

ISSUE ANALYSIS 2

· Article Link: https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/student-who-posted-fake-pmo-announcement-on-mr-lee-kuan-yews-death-given-stern-warning

· Article title: Student who posted fake PMO announcement on Mr Lee Kuan Yew’s death given stern warning

· Issued by: Singapore Police Force

· Key Messages:

1. There was a fake announcement on the death of former prime minister Mr. Lee Kuan Yew.

2. It has fooled international news outlet such as CNN and CCTV using a screenshot photograph from the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) website.

3. There were no hacking or unauthorized accesses of the PMO website.

· Relevance (Key Issues):

Using the advance technology in today’s era, a 16 years old Singaporean male student circulated a screenshot photograph purportedly from the Prime Minister’s Office Website, announcing the death of Mr Lee Kuan Yew. It was widely disseminated in through the internet and had even fooled international news outlet such as CNN and CCTV which result in a damaged reputation for Singapore. Students should know the consequences of disseminating false news especially from the Government. To avoid such incident from happening again, Singapore Press Holding should create awareness to parents about the consequences of producing fake news, and giving them tips and advises on how to educate their kids well using the internet and social media.

ISSUE ANALYSIS 3

· Article Link: https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/education/river-valley-childcare-centre-denies-allegations-of-child-abuse

· Article title: River Valley Childcare Centre denies allegations of child abuse

· Issued by: Early Childhood Development Agency (ECDA)

· Key Messages:

1. A childcare Centre has denied allegations to abusing children under its care.

2. The photos posted on social media Wechat was due to an unhappy former employee .

3. None of the children’s parents planned to withdraw their kids from the childcare Centre.

· Relevance (Key Issues):

An unhappy former employee who had since returned to china has posted on the Chinese social media platform Wechat of children lying on the floor without mattresses, along with unhygienic kitchen with rotten fruits on the table and one of the children sleeping in his own faeces. The children Centre has addressed the issue that the children lying on the floor were doing stretching and breathing exercises, the rotten fruits were not for the children, rotten fruits are cut out and thrown away and the Centre purchases fruit twice a week. As for the toddler sleeping in his own faeces, it was known that he had a habit of pulling his diapers off while having a bowel movement during his nap time. Despite such allegations, none of the parents plan to withdraw their children from the school and they are very supportive and positive, offering to write petitions and letter in support of the Centre. Fake news should be address immediately; such allegations will affect businesses and affect everyone’s emotions. Singapore Press Holding are responsible in educating adults to not visit unreliable sites to read news, especially Facebook where the chances of fake news are higher.

Media Release:

· Target Publics – Parents

· Media Outlet – The Straits Times Singapore

Key Messages :

· In the online environment, falsehood tends to get momentum very quickly, the more it gets reposted the greater the likelihood of people believing it to be true.

· This is the phenomenon known as the illusory truth effect.

· It is important to understand the dangers of misinformation.

· Fakes news could push racial communities apart.

· Any fake news should be reported to the police immediately.

· Workshops on how to combat fake news will be held daily to accommodate the schedule of all parents at all community Centre in Singapore.

ANSLEY SEAH XUFANG_33254395_PT PRO 259C

· There will be no language barriers as the sessions will be conducted in 4 languages: English, Mandarin, Bahasa Melayu and Tamil.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

How can citizens combat Fake News

Family support is crucial to cease rampant of Fake News attack

Singapore, 1 February 2019

The influence of social media is unparalleled, and information can literally be found with a few clicks of button. However, the ease at which one is enabled to acquire information easily also reflects how effortlessly it is for others to upload a false content online. The Singapore Press Holdings has decided to put a halt to the increase of fake news cases in Singapore by introducing a complimentary 2-hour workshop campaign for both future and current parents at all community Centre in Singapore to educate on how to combat fake news. Workshops will be held daily at the convenience of all Singaporean parents. We also welcome all citizens who are interest to participate.

Studies have shown that the number of fake news cases is increasing significantly over the years with the introduction of social networking sites such as Facebook and Instagram. Social media worsen the problem because of its social factor, whereby being the first to share breaking news was thought to be of an interest to friends that may be seen as something welcomed.

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Professor Lim Sun Sun, Singapore University of Design and Technology media and communication are researching the reason why people are unable to distinguish between fake and real news. She also mentioned that people tend to be “trigger-happy” after publishing fake news on social media, with today’s advance technologies such as face trackers and voice synthesisers, anybody can create a fake video.

The workshop will be conducted in all four languages and will be held in different timings each day. Roadshow at various supermarkets such as NTUC and Fairprice will be arranged, brochures will be given to target market such as housewife and parents with kids. Promoters will also be present to further elaborate the purpose of this roadshow and advise how will it positively affect their children.

Through this workshop campaign, parents will know what they need to do when faced with such situation. This also helps in preventing fake news cases whereby Singapore is ranked one of the top 3 in the world to publish fake news despite being a small country. The Singapore Press Holdings regards fake news as a crucial matter as it can further tarnish its country reputation. If caught for publishing fake news, Singapore Press Holding will not hesitate to take further actions.

**ENDS**

Incorporated in 1984, The Singapore Press Holdings (SPH) is Asia’s leading media organization, engaging minds and enriching lives across multiple languages and platforms ranging from print, digital, radio and outdoor media. In addition, SPH owns award winning newspapers and magazines both print and digital editions. SPH has also two English radio stations and one Chinese radio station.

For more information, please visit www.sph.com.sg

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Frequently Asked Questions

1. What are the timings for the workshop in the community clubs?

· The timetables for the courses will be release 1 week in advance and it will be held in the evenings.

2. When will the courses be available?

· It will be available from March 2019 – June 2019.

3. Do I need to sign up to reserve a seating for the workshops?

· Signing up is not needed however we will encourage to make advance reservation.

4. Are the workshops free of charge?

· Yes, all workshops are free of charge and will be covered by The Singapore Press Holdings.

5. Can I attend the workshop more than once?

· Yes, you may attend the workshop more than once in all community Centre.

6. What should I do if my child is being influenced to produce fake news?

· Instead of ignoring it, address the matter as a serious issue to your child. You can approach the school teachers or even approach our staffs as they are specially trained to give their best to help you and your child in such situations.

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7. Are there any hotlines to call if my child needs advice?

· There are several organizations which can be helpful.

i. Anti-Fake news for children and youth (+65 6773 7332)

ii. Community Health Assessment Team (+65 6567 7782)

iii. TOUCH Counselling (+65 6777 8882)

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Marking criteria for Assignment 1:

Writing portfolio (25%)	Grade (letter)
1.	Issues analysis – media monitoring (5%) · Three clippings related to the client and situation · Appropriately analyses clippings that shows their relevance and impact on the client.
2.	Media release (10%) · Writes headline according to conventions · Lead paragraph succinctly summarises the most important points of the story · Appropriate inverted pyramid · Written according to the appropriate format including contact details, dates etc · Appropriate for target public and target media outlet · Newsworthy
3.	Frequent Asked Questions (10%) · Demonstrates understanding of issues relevant for the client · Written according to conventions of an FAQ · Appropriate for target public and target media outlet
	Total 25%	Letter grade