And, across the Equator, down there and around another Ocean, what news are they focused on when they watch TV online?
In Singapore they are offered selected videos on Channelnewsasia.comm, usually three a day, which may seem brittle. But they are also usually uplifting.
Yesterday on the 12th of December for instance, they were presented with the $200m worth of projects that the group Resorts World intends to implement at Sentosa. These are intended to boost small and midsize businesses. The initiative would attract 15m visitors from India, China and other Asian countries and create 22,000 jobs. Wow!
Another video enhances the proactive Singapore policy against the spread of AIDS in promoting an opt-out test. One of the professors from the Communicable Diseases Centre explains how useful and beneficial it is for the individual and for the society to take this test, because it is mundane, it gives the patient a check on some of his organs and functions and it helps to consider AIDS like any other disease.
The third topic briefs the viewers on the still confusing security rules in various airports worldwide on which liquids are allowed or not on board. Mind you, no bitter criticism or alarm, here. Indeed a hint of optimism is reflected in the smiling representative of the International Civil Aviation organization who claims that things are under review and that Singapore, in particular, plays a significant part in setting up consistent international rules. Hooray for Singapore!
After having watched a number of these 3 news videos a day, I feel like turning into a supporting fan of Singapore, clapping at this positive and dynamic news, without having any particular reason to do so.
Yet, I notice that each of these bits of news is built on the same pattern: an introduction of the theme by a journalist voice-over, some views of a place and generally a conference - possibly an international one – from which a high representative would be extracted and surrounded by a herd of journalists. At last, the channel‘s reporter will be seen and his/her identity disclosed in the display of name and email address.
I have the impression that the gestures of their hands and the general body stillness are inspired by the BBC journalists’ style. Not that the reporters have such a gamut of postures available, yet there is that je ne sais quoi of a firm self-control that commands attention.
And all videos are strictly in English.
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