BT newshounds snag top financial journalism prizes

Singapore

THE Business Times Mr Lim, a BT senior correspondent, was recognised for his work as a "well-rounded journalist" who has provided the investing community with great insights, winning the Financial Journalist of the Year award.

This marks the second time he has earned recognition for his work, after winning a special award in 2013.

Ms Tan won the Financial Story of the Year award for her opinion piece in BT's regular Hock Lock Siew column in May, calling for regulators to act on the findings of a special audit that noted disclosure lapses in Singapore Post (SingPost).

BT executive editor Wong Wei Kong said: "From scoops to exclusive conversations with leading players to data and visual story-telling, Kenneth brings a formidable array of skillsets to his coverage of the Singapore market. Just what you need as the market here evolves rapidly in the face of disruption and technology changes."

BT news editor Ven Sreenivasan added: "Kenneth is not afraid to tread on controversial ground. He is fully deserving of this award."

As for Ms Tan, she received accolades for her consistent coverage of the governance lapses that unfolded at SingPost.

Mr Wong said: "Melissa's work in uncovering the board and management weaknesses at SingPost over many months has, in no small measure, helped advance the cause of corporate governance in Singapore. It is also a great example of impactful financial journalism."

Mr Sreenivasan concurred, referring to Ms Tan as a "tenacious" reporter who, "once she gets her teeth into a story, does not let it go".

Mr Lim had this to say about his career as a journalist: "I try to keep people honest. I think that's what we (journalists) do in a nutshell. We don't always succeed, but I think it's good to keep trying."

Ms Tan said she closely followed the events playing out in SingPost in her articles as she deemed "fairness and openness were crucial for a healthy market", and that good disclosure helps level the playing field for minority investors.

The Straits Times (ST) journalists also won two awards, with Marissa Lee taking home Most Promising Journalist of the Year while Lorna Tan, Invest editor and senior correspondent, earned Investor Education Journalist of the Year.

ST business editor Lee Su Shyan described Ms Lee as a confident and versatile reporter with great potential and praised Ms Lorna Tan for her reputable insight and contribution to investor education, namely on issues related to retirement, insurance and retail bonds.

"I aspire to help people start planning early and manage their finances better," said Ms Lorna Tan.

Patrick John Lim of Channel NewsAsia (CNA) was named the other Most Promising Journalist of the Year while special awards for Investor Education Journalist of the Year and Media Excellence in Community Investor Education went to CNA's Money Mind editor Leong-Chor Khieng Yuit and Channel 8's Money Week respectively.

On the corporate front, the SIAS awards event had more good news for Singapore Press Holdings (SPH), which won the Most Transparent Company Award in the consumer discretionary category, bringing to 12 the number of times it has won this award plus four times as runner-up.

SPH also clinched a merit in the Singapore Corporate Governance Award (Diversity Category). The awards were received by SPH deputy chief executive Anthony Tan.

DBS Group Holdings came out tops among the big caps for the Singapore Corporate Governance Award while Micro- Mechanics (Holdings) won the award under the mid and small caps. Tai Sin Electric and CapitaLand emerged winners under this award's most improved and diversity categories respectively.

Keppel Corp won the award for Internal Audit Excellence at Friday's SIAS awards presentation, the 17th year that the event is being held.