‘There's no shame in having your story corrected'
Peter H.L. Lim, 86
Portrait
Mr Peter H.L. Lim dreamed of becoming a fighter pilot as a youth, but when he was found to be short-sighted, that path was closed. Instead, he joined The Straits Times as a cub reporter in 1957.
In 1978, he became editor-in-chief of the Times Organisation, overseeing The Straits Times as well as sister publications like The Sunday Times, Berita Harian and the Fanfare entertainment magazine. He focused on improving quality and raising staff skills, with conditions and salaries for journalists notably improving. He describes the early 1980s as a 'golden age' for journalists.
In January 1987, he handed over the editor-in-chief role to Mr Cheong Yip Seng and became editor of The New Paper (TNP), a new afternoon tabloid launched on July 26, 1988. He led TNP for two years. Now 86, Mr Lim's career reflects a significant period of growth and transformation in Singapore's newspaper landscape.
Recollections
'Journalism was very challenging during my time because information was difficult to get.
There were many people who wanted to resign because they were fed up. I had to persuade them to stay. Sometimes they stayed because of their faith in me, but only sometimes was that the case.
Their inherent strength was that many journalists were very motivated and willing to continue doing their part.
They felt they had a larger purpose, contributing to the changes and advances in Singapore. They were underpaid for a long time, but they were thrilled to be the first to break the news, excited about getting a scoop, whatever their pay.
Top stories
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Singapore HSA intensifies crackdown on vapes; young suspected Kpod peddlers nabbed in Bishan, Yishun
Singapore Man charged over distributing nearly 3 tonnes of vapes in one day in Bishan, Ubi Avenue 3
Singapore Public healthcare institutions to record all Kpod cases, confiscate vapes: MOH, HSA
Singapore Man allegedly attacks woman with knife at Kallang Wave Mall, to be charged with attempted murder
Singapore Singapore boosts support for Timor-Leste as it prepares to join Asean
Singapore UN aviation and maritime agencies pledge to collaborate to boost safety, tackle challenges
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Singapore 18 years' jail for woman who hacked adoptive father to death after tussle over Sengkang flat
Getting your byline, getting a scoop amid the competition were big things.
One of the things we started during my time was the 'What it should have been' feature in the paper to ensure accuracy. It was also to show fellow journalists that there's no shame in having your story corrected, and that was how it was born.
Journalism today is much better than it was then. Now, information is transmitted far more easily from the Government to the public. I think we're much better off today because of that than we ever were.
For a long time, I didn't imagine that Singapore would come so far. There were so many challenges, the natural resources were limited. There were so many external problems. But I'm glad it happened because of the benefits it will have for future generations. This is my country, my home. And for many, this will always be home.
One area where more can be done is how we relate to people. There was a time when sociology as an intellectual discipline was spoken of with disdain by some of our top political leaders.
It was dismissed by them as a 'soft' pursuit. But the realisation has grown that an understanding of social problems – meaning real people's real-life problems – is as crucial as... well, as any and everything else. I wish I had done more to help promote such understanding in my time in the newsroom.
Looking ahead, I hope Singapore develops more to allow people to have more empathy and to feel more for other people's feelings. Given a chance, would I be a journalist again? No. I wanted to be a fighter pilot, flying the latest fighter aircraft.'
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