ST:
FROM Tuesday, visitors to The Straits Times' (ST) website will not have to pay to read the latest breaking news from Singapore and the world.

They can also post their views - in real time - on the reports they read.

One other major change: The site will drop its 12-year-old name, The Straits Times Interactive, or STI, and go with the cleaner 'straitstimes.com'.

Since becoming a subscription site in 2005, it has been offering only a small buffet of material for free:

1. ST's online forum letters;
2. Multimedia features, such as video news reports and podcasts;
3. A restricted selection of 20 reports from the print edition.

All other content, including breaking news and material picked up from the print edition of the newspaper itself, has been available only to subscribers in the past two years.

Explaining the move to open up more free-access content, ST editor Han Fook Kwang said: 'There's a great deal more we can do in the website to leverage on the award-winning talent in The Straits Times newsroom of writers, photographers, artists and designers. I think we've a good product and we want to make it available to more people in cyberspace, and to use the technology available on the web to make it an even better product.'

Here is the real reason ....

Straits Times' daily traffic
Source: Alexa

Keep it up people, we're winning the war on Straits Times!
26

View comments

  1. still a piece of shit, free or not.

    ReplyDelete
  2. i concur with the first comment.. i dont need free propaganda.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Anonymous1:58 AM GMT+8

    heng ar.. lucky i never pay for it.

    ReplyDelete
  4. tks for the heads up, this is great news!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Eh where did my comment go?

    Was wondering why there was a spike in mid 2005

    ReplyDelete
  6. The New York Times, BBC, Telegraph, The Times, Washington Post et al, have all along been "free" and I have often wondered what's so special about The ST?????

    At last these *geniuses*/propagandists at the ST have finally woken up.

    Duh...

    JS

    ReplyDelete
  7. Even better check out this link comparing the ST traffic to the channelnewsasia.com traffic...
    Guess who overtakes who?

    http://www.alexa.com/data/details/traffic_details?site0=straitstimes.asia1.com.sg/&site1=channelnewsasia.com&site2=&site3=&site4=&y=r&z=2&h=400&w=700&range=3y&size=Large&url=http://straitstimes.asia1.com.sg/

    ReplyDelete
  8. Sorry, mistake in the last post

    Traffic to ST vs Traffic to CNA

    http://www.alexa.com/data/details/traffic_details?site0=straitstimes.asia1.com.sg&site1=channelnewsasia.com&y=r&z=2&h=400&w=700&range=3y&size=Large&url=http://straitstimes.asia1.com.sg/

    ReplyDelete
  9. Is it free for it to do more social engineering? It is still best to avoid it!

    ReplyDelete
  10. Anonymous6:31 PM GMT+8

    Free is good ! Quality is totally another problem....

    I have a different gripe. Why does ST not preserve older articles ? (ST deletes them or just cannot be accessed ?)

    Suggest they buy a few 100 GB disk frm SimLim Square... to preserve news, views and trivia for the benefit of the next generation.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Anonymous7:49 PM GMT+8

    Older articles may haunt people. Imagine that this is the GE year, imagine that you are able to retreive some "nice" articles of what some of our million dollars ministers said over the last five years and spread these articles like wild fire. Imagine, please. Oh, I am sure that they have terebytes and terabytes of hard disk space, for log files of IP addresses.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Anonymous4:32 AM GMT+8

    I WILL continue to BOYCOTT them!
    FREE or NOT...
    Shitty Times is STILL Shitty Times even though they're FREE. (Nobody wants shit anyway, free or not free...)

    ReplyDelete
  13. Singapore should free up its media and stop monopoly.

    Brainwash singaporeans with pro-government propaganda is bad.

    I hope the propagandists in the ST can take note.

    ReplyDelete
  14. The SAD FACT is... they know and they are still at it!

    ReplyDelete
  15. I don't like ST's pro-USA, pro-Israel propaganda.

    Just report fairly, don't spread propaganda.

    Not all people are easily fooled.

    ReplyDelete
  16. Anonymous3:24 AM GMT+8

    Don't infect your mind with ST's shit. It's run by ISD agents and ramk 154th in world free press.

    ReplyDelete
  17. Singapore's mainstream media nothing but government propaganda, no independent reporting whatsoever, accordng to SDP:

    http://singaporedemocrat.org/media.html

    ReplyDelete
  18. Anonymous1:58 PM GMT+8

    All we get in ST when it comes to foreign news is mostly pro-USA propaganda.

    This type of article you will never find:

    http://www.engdahl.oilgeopolitics.net/Geopolitics___Eurasia/Oil_in_Africa/oil_in_africa.html

    http://www.globalresearch.ca/index.php?context=va&aid=5837

    Why be a USA mouthpiece?

    ReplyDelete
  19. Anonymous4:26 PM GMT+8

    Hmmm. Do you have a direct link to the press release declaring ST's website to be free?

    Strange that when I'm on the home page, every link I click on "Singapore" for example, takes me to a subscription sign up page that demands *gasp* a credit card! You can still browse headlines for free but when you click on a link, the sign up page shows up again!

    Maybe this was just a PR stunt?

    ReplyDelete
  20. Yet another load of crap from Shitty Times

    Taken from their site:
    "Milk prices on the rise
    Prices of milk have shot up across the board, ranging from $0.10 to a steep hike of $0.55 for a can or carton.

    This, according to a survey conducted by the Consumers Association of Singapore (CASE).

    Hitting the streets, straitstimes.com finds out if Singaporeans are willing to fork out the extra cents for their favourite milk."

    DO WE HAVE A CHOICE?

    ReplyDelete
  21. Anonymous4:47 AM GMT+8

    ST good to open up its propaganda materials.

    Now, let's it be read by all aliens of the universe to see if our crappy and useless wold's most expensive gahmen stand scrutiny !

    ReplyDelete
  22. Anonymous4:54 AM GMT+8

    ST name StraitTime.com ?
    Whatever millions pay to come out such name should be fired and send to exile because such name doesn't do justice to our wonderful and so-called credible local Newspaper !

    Use my suggested name and I'm sure it will become brand icon in the whole damn galaxy. And I'm don't charge millions like what I charge my client. I'm give it free due to my patriotism and giving back society what gahmen has given us ! Indeed I am patriot by nature. Gahmen should be proud of me !

    So what's the name to use ?
    Simply called it

    WasteTime.com

    I'm sure All Singaporean will love this new site name and vote it up !
    Don't you ?

    If you do not know how to write propaganda material or bullshit, please use wastetime.com as inspiration ! wastetime.com doesn't land up in 154th position for nothing !

    ReplyDelete
  23. Anonymous3:15 PM GMT+8

    No analysis of local affairs at all ST.

    Only spread pro-government propaganda.

    World affairs get ang moh to write their pro-USA, pro-Israel bullshit.

    This type of media, who wants?

    Nothing but junk.

    ReplyDelete
  24. Anonymous3:37 PM GMT+8

    I can understand if Singapore mainstream media spreads pro-government propaganda.

    This is nothing new.

    But when it spread pro-USA and pro-Israel propaganda, something is wrong.

    ReplyDelete
  25. singapore needs to stay at american side all the time... without america (the bigger dog), malaysia will eat singapore up whole .period

    ReplyDelete
  26. Anonymous1:31 PM GMT+8

    If you believe that Christopher Lee's luck turned for the worse when he changed his name, apparently on ill-advice by a feng shui geomancer, as reported in The New Paper, then it must really be pouring when it rains, because of what just happened in Los Angeles.

    Paris Hilton was originally sentenced to 45 days in the slammer (cut to 23 days for good behaviour) by Superior Court Judge Michael Sauer for driving with a license suspended after a drink-driving arrest. The judge specifically spelt out during sentencing that she was not allowed to serve house detention. She checked into LA County Lynwood lock-up to serve out her incarceration in what was reportedly to be a private cell, but was sent home after 5 days to finish her original 45 day sentence under an 'electronic monitoring ankle bracelet' house arrest on the executive countermanding orders of LA County Sheriff Lee Baca, because "she was on the brink of a nervous breakdown".

    For a country that specifically kept executive, legislature and judicial powers separate and independent, this was surprising development. But what caused Paris Hilton to be dragged screaming back to jail wasn't due to good governance. It wasn't due to a crusading, politicized press either. Paris Hilton wasn't political material. She was a rich party girl who was apt at making a spectacle of herself, and therefore much fancied by the paparazzi for tabloid material. The scene outside Paris Hilton's house reached madcap proportions in the hours after her release into house detention. Even the cup-cake delivery man was much photographed and interviewed.

    So don't you believe that a free press will hold Sheriff Baca in contempt of court? It is freedom of expression, and public outrage of favoritism brought about by the news made available by the press that caused Paris Hilton to do the time for her crime, a concept a Straits Times 'journalist' will never understand.

    ReplyDelete

Dear Mr. Lee,

This is a joint letter by 4 life-long friends who are in our 50s and 60s. After speaking to many colleagues, friends, and family, it saddens us to know that most fellow Singaporeans share similar grave concerns.

7

By: Camille Chew

"Sometimes I don't even bother keeping up with the parliament as I feel that our PAP speakers, especially the new ones, seem to not make sense when they speak. I understand that they're a bunch of elite scholars who have studied so high up, greatly educated.

By: Lucky Tan

Above is BBC's coverage of the protest at Hong Lim. The first part discusses the trade-off for Singaporeans and how the low TFR has led to the need for immigrants in our country.

1

Singaporeans, please don’t fall for it.

I have said it again, and I will say it again. This Singaporean vs foreigner sentiment is a gimmick, it’s a ploy.

Please, I don’t know how many times I need to say this, but we need to remember who we are directing our unhappiness to.

1

A citizen's on-site audio recording organized of a series of 13 speeches (in chronological sequence) made by various segments of Singapore's population during a protest against the white paper on population at Hong Lim Park, 16 February 2013. The protest was organized by Transitioning.org.

By: Jagwinder Singh

It was a proud moment to be a Singaporean yesterday, when 6000 of us, stood shoulder to shoulder under the unforgiving shower of rain to protest in unison against the latest draconian policy which had been shoved down our throats.

1

A large crowd braved a drizzle to gather at the Speakers' Corner at Hong Lim Park in Singapore on Saturday 16 Feb 2013 in a rare protest against a government white paper on population.

At least 7,000 people have staged one of Singapore's largest-ever protests, a further sign of discontent over immigration policies and growing income disparities under the long-ruling People's Action Party (PAP).

1

Dear Prime Minister,

I am one of your grassroots leader. I’ve voluntereed and served in one of your constituency for the last 20 years. I’ve had these thoughts percolating in my mind for many months.

He also spoke about companies 'addicted' to cheap foreign labour.

Nominated MP Laurence Lien became the second nominated member of the Parliament to oppose Singapore Government's White Paper.

1

A study carried out by W. Lutz of the International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis in Austria, M. R. Testa of the Vienna Institute of Demography at the Austrian Academy of Sciences and D. J.

1

By: Nicole Seah

Along with many other Singaporeans, I oppose the White Paper.

Prof Eugene Tan, didn't you abstain from the White Paper? Your abstention equates an endorsement of that policy, no matter how much you railed against it. Your stance is almost equal to PAP's Mr Inderjit Singh who voiced opposition against it yet still voted for the document.

4

By Andrea Ong

The ratio of Malays in Singapore will not change in the future even as the population grows, said Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong in Parliament on Friday.

"The percentage of Malays will continue to be stable for the long term.

By Dr Wong Wee Nam

The results of the Punggol East by-election surprised everyone. People expected a very close fight. No one expected PAP, by its own standards, to be thrashed by such a wide margin.

It looks like PAP has not learned from the lessons of 2011 GE.

LTK is right. The PAP of old is not the PAP of today. George Yeo made a very good comment that when an organisation get going for many years, the rot starts to set in and what they do not "realise" will set its doom.

1

Workers’ Party candidate Lee Li Lian won the Punggol East by-election handsomely at the second time of asking.

Returning Officer Yam Ah Mee announced the results a short time ago at North Vista Secondary School in Punggol East.

6

In May 2011, the Patriarch of the PAP, Lee Kuan Yew, issued a threat to voters of Aljunied:

"If Aljunied decides to go that way, well Aljunied has five years to live and repent. We accept the verdict of the people, but they must also accept the consequences of their actions.

2

The cheering of the 10k supporters that lasted more than 30 minutes even after the rally ended. The electrifying atmosphere of the democracy determined citizens of Singapore!

3

Daniel Goh Low Thia Khiang, MP (English) Pritam Singh, MP

1

People coming in their working attire, didn't want to brave the mud, hence after ALL the planks were fully occupied, the late crowd spilled over to other areas without muddy grass. Video:

5

As expected, sparks flew as the opposition, WP, came out firing on all cylinders at the PAP and even pro-opposition critics during its second rally for the Punggol East by-election. Towards the PAP, the WP leaders, fronted by its chief Low Thia Khiang, cited example after example of policy alternatives and the 250-plus questions it had raised in Parliament since the 2011 GE as proof that it has played its role as a responsible and rational watchdog. The rebuttals were directed largely at PM Lee Hsien Loong who had said on Saturday that the opposition did not have strong views and did not raise alternative policies. The WP also addressed head-on criticisms of it being an arrogant party that did not uphold opposition unity, owing to its refusal to negotiate with other parties over the right to contest the Punggol East ward. Recounting history of how opposition disunity in the 1990s had affected the growth of the WP, Mr Low said the party decided to walk its own path lest it disappoints Singaporeans hoping for a strong political force. Tonight’s rally has raised the temperatures in the hitherto-mild election campaign by several notches. The PAP and other opposition parties are expected to respond before the WP’s third and final rally tomorrow. More sparks may fly. Low Thia Khiang, MP (English) Sylvia Lim, MP Lee Li Lian (English)

With 81 of 87 parliamentary seats, PAP is already overwhelmingly represented in parliament. It has already scored an A* with 93% representation. It doesn't need Dr Koh's win to give it more power.

To voters of Punggol East, your vote is indeed an important one.

1

Every speaker was concise and to the point. The criticisms of PAP are valid and close to the heart of the people. You won't hear any rhetorics and they were sincere in helping PE residents with confident in delivering their promise if elected.

1

PM Lee removes By-Election smokescreen and kills off Dr Koh's campaign in one fell sweep

This morning's PAP Press, The Straits Times, declared on the PM's behalf that voters of Punggol East must vote for the PAP if they support the PAP's plan for Singapore.

By: Seah Chiang Nee

After decades of wealth accumulation, it is not easy to find a poor politician, particularly in the PAP. This trend may change as the leadership realises the benefit of candidates with backgrounds that are closer to the average voter’s.

Another Epic Night at WP rally in Punggol East.

The Worker’s Party’s first rally held on Saturday evening highlighted clearly its two-pronged strategy: national as well as local politics. A total of 13 speakers took turns to speak about issues like the escalating cost of living, frequent disruptions to public transport, and healthcare issues. Speakers also reminded the audience how the government has been compelled to tweak certain policies, for example, slowing foreign worker inflows, after GE 2011 when the ruling party lost seats to WP. WP Sec-Gen Mr Low Thia Khiang assured voters that the party candidate, Ms Lee Li Lian, would do a good job running the town council, citing the WP’s experiences in managing estates since he won the Hougang ward in 1991. Low Thia Khiang (English speech) WP candidate for Punggol East SMC, Ms Lee Li Lian

From Workers' Party's FB:

Join us at the first Workers' Party Rally for the Punggol East By-Election on 19 Jan 2013 (Sat), 7pm-10pm @ Open Field in front of Blk 183C Rivervale Crescent.

Before the by-election hustings have really taken off, we are hearing from PAP’s own mouths the failings of its former and disgraced MP, in areas of municipal estate management.

By: Joseph Tan

1) A constituency election differs from a national election since we already know the big-picture results: the PAP forms the government.

By: Hoe Zong Huan

With a by-election coming up, it may be interesting to put the 2011 General Election results under analysis to reveal the trend and attitudes towards the PAP.

So much has been said about the impending Punggol East SMC by-election – while most concede that PAP is likely to win in a multi-cornered fight, opinions are split on whether the decision of opposition parties other than the Workers’ Party (WP) to run in the election is justified or not (see for ins

1

By: Clarence Zeng, member of the Young Democrats and Deputy Head of the SDP's Ground Operations Unit.

It was a hard, and heavy decision that was made known to the members that we were pulling out of the race in the Punggol East by-election.

It's confirmed. 4 Parties to contest in Punggol East By Election. Let's make sure the PAP will not win this BE. Another Opposition Member in Parliament is good for the nation.

by Ng E-Jay

I am glad the Singapore Democratic Party (SDP) has withdrawn from the Punggol East by-election. I am very sure that it was by no means an easy decision. The party had been walking the ground everyday since it announced its intention to contest.

The People’s Action Party’s (PAP) candidate for Punggol East SMC, colorectal surgeon Koh Poh Koon is a ‘nobody’, according to an article on SingaPolitics.

The colorectal surgeon reportedly joined the PAP only 3 weeks ago and even grassroot leaders were not familiar with him at all.

Punggol East residents: scrutinize the records of each candidate and see clearly who can understand your concerns better?

The highly paid doctor who keeps harping on the times gone-by when meritocracy was a straightforward system and threatens you if you don't vote the PAP?

Or the lady with a humb

A message from Singapore Democrats:

We had decided to contest the by-election in Punggol East because of the following factors:

(1) A set of alternative policies that we wanted to present to the voters.

(2) A candidate who would have a strong chance of defeating the PAP candidate.

By: Anyhow Hantam

From the beginning of our fledgling democracy, there has always been a tacit agreement between opposition parties to avoid 3 cornered fights.

By: Andrew Loh

“For me the main issue of this by-election is sending a signal on how our country should be governed,” a friend commented to me, “what sort of representation we want in the highest body of government and demonstrating that we collectively be proactive and can make a difference.”

“Th

Sales trainer Lee Li Lian, 34, has been unveiled as the WP candidate for Punggol East. She last contested the SMC in 2011 where she won 41 per cent of votes in a three-cornered fight.

Looks like she now has a second stab at Punggol East.

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