Current mood:

amused

Try Harder, Very Much Harder
What would you expect to read from an article entitled "Foreign media learn about Singapore as they cover IMF/WB meetings"? That more than 1500 members of the foreign media have found out that the gahmen manages to link civil protests to terrorism, that the gahmen came up with the brilliant idea of letting people protest in an 8m by 8m space, that opposition politicians trying to have a march are stopped by the police, that the media are like a magnet to readers who write in to praise the gahmen's "security" measures.

Well, none of the above if you happen to be reading an article from the mainstream media.

CNA Article that doesn't seem to have a point to make at all (but what's new?):

SINGAPORE: Over 1500 members of the foreign media have been here in Singapore to cover the IMF/ World Bank meetings, and they are learning as much about the host country as they can, to take home lessons of tourism and industry.

As members of the foreign press head home in the next few days, they are finding many things to share with policy-makers and the private sector of their countries.

For example, reporters from Ghana were interested in ornamental fish farming - something they say could just take off in Africa.

"We think that with the history and scope of this company and the kind of technology they are using, it will be appropriate to know what they are doing and us media we could capture what they are doing," said Gideon Sackitey, Chief Economic Reporter, Ghana News Agency.

They have also been taking in economic briefings at statutory boards and ministries.

For instance at the Singapore Tourism Board, they found out more about the Uniquely Singapore branding campaign.

While in Singapore to cover the IMF and World Bank meetings, the foreign media is taking the opportunity to learn about the host country.

Many of them hope to take home the strategies that Singapore is employing, to market itself as the destination of choice for business and leisure.

Market itself as the destination of choice for business and leisure? How? By establishing a reputation for authoritarianism or by suing foreign media fore defamation? Come on, I don't even think the gahmen wants you to try writing such an article. Let the whole fiasco blow over and let people continue shopping at Suntec City in peace.