The new Young Media Leaders (YML) Fellowship Programme, an initiative of the World Editors Forum Asia Chapter, the regional network in Asia for editors within the World Association of News Publishers (WAN-IFRA), and supported by Temasek Foundation, is launched today with its inaugural class of 30 Fellows. The fellowship programme seeks to nurture the next generation of media leaders who are committed to shaping the regional future.

The aim is for YML Fellows to contribute effectively to the pursuit of good journalism, foster dialogue and greater connectedness among one another, and build up newsrooms to meet the needs of their societies in these uncertain times.

The inaugural class of YML Fellows comprises young, high-potential editors and journalists from across the region nominated by their newsrooms. They will gather online over the next six months to share experiences, exchange ideas, amplify the impact of news reporting, and learn to lead in an industry transformed by technology. This is especially relevant as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to batter global economies and threaten the future of the publishing industry.

"This Fellowship aims to nurture the next generation of media leaders who can contribute effectively to the pursuit of good journalism and build capacity in their newsrooms to meet the needs of their societies in these uncertain times. We want to expose Asia's future media leaders to the diverse challenges facing the media industry across the region and provide them the opportunity to network and build partnerships to share best practices and improve capabilities" said Warren Fernandez, President of the World Editors Forum and Editor-in-Chief of The Straits Times in Singapore, who mooted the initiative.

"The world's and Asia's top news publishers meet regularly at over 50 WAN-IFRA events and meetings annually. With the Young Media Leaders Fellowship in Asia, made possible through the generous support of donors such as the Temasek Foundation in Singapore, we are now able to create a similar platform for the next generation of industry leaders" said Thomas Jacob, Chief Operating Officer of WAN-IFRA.

“The media is well-placed to contribute to the shaping of the narrative of our times. By tapping on a strong network of media leaders across the region, newsrooms can draw on one another’s strengths to achieve greater impact. We hope that Fellows can use the opportunities given to grow, and be empowered to build up not just their newsroom but also to contribute to thought leadership to shape the challenges in our society” said Lim Hock Chuan, Chief Executive of Temasek Foundation Connects.

Due to the spread of COVID-19, the YML programme will take place mostly through online platforms. Participants will attend a week-long online executive leadership programme tailored for newsroom leaders in June, attend the online Asian Media Leaders e-Summit in July, participate in various online dialogues on regional political, economic and societal issues, plan events, activities and stories to mark World News Day on 28 September 2020 and gather in Singapore in January 2021 for the Fellowship finale where the Asian Media Leaders Summit will be held, conditions permitting.

Fellows will also continue to deepen their engagement with one another during and beyond the programme through the establishment of an alumni community on social media and through future speaking opportunities.

PARTICIPANTS IN THE INAUGURAL CLASS OF YOUNG MEDIA LEADERS FELLOWS 2020

Bangladesh, Syed Samiul Basher Anik, Chief Reporter, Dhaka Tribune.

Bhutan, Yangchen C Rinzin, Senior Reporter, Kuensel.

Brunei, Danial Norjidi, Features Editor, Brunei Press.

Fiji, Jennis Naidu, Digital Journalist, Fiji Sun.

Hong Kong SAR, Lee Williamson, Editor, Generation T & Director, Tatler Asia Lists.

Hong Kong SAR, Shea Driscoll, Social Media Editor, South China Morning Post.

Hong Kong SAR, Natalie Koh, News Editor China, South China Morning Post.

India, Deepanshu Taumar, Senior Correspondent, ETAuto.

India, Vasudevan Mukunth, Science Editor, The Wire.

Indonesia, Dwifantya Aquina, News Editor, IDN Times.

Indonesia, Tramaditya Salim, World Desk Editor, The Jakarta Post.

Malaysia, Aishah Mohmad Afandi, Economic Journalist, Bernama - Malaysian National News Agency.

Malaysia, Nurul Jannah Kamaruddin, Journalist, Bernama - Malaysian National News Agency.

Malaysia, Michel Chng, Senior Reporter, Sin Chew Daily.

Mongolia, Davaadorj Ganbaatar, Editor, Business.mn.

Mongolia, Khulan Jugder, Editor, Ub.life.

Myanmar, Aung Soe Win, Program Manager (Digital), Mon News Agency/Guiding Star Journal.

Pakistan, Muhammad Omer Hayat, News Editor, Dawn.com.

Philippines, Maila Ager, Assignments Editor, Inquirer.net, Philippines.

Pamela Angela S. Pastor, Writing Editor, Philippine Daily Inquirer.

Philippines, Pamela Rances, Digital Content Manager, Manila Bulletin.

Philippines, Romina Marie Cabrera, Reporter, Philippine Star.

Singapore, Milton Sau Chan Ern, Senior Producer, CNA, Mediacorp.

Singapore, Kenneth Cheng Jing Wen, Senior Journalist, TODAY, Mediacorp.

Singapore, Poon Chian Hui, Deputy Business Editor, The Straits Times.

Singapore, Ervina Mohamed Jamil, Correspondent, Berita Harian.

South Korea, Son Ji-hyoung, Staff Reporter, The Korea Herald.

Vietnam, Dinh Vu Bao Hoa, Reporter, Vietnam News.

Vietnam, Le Do Ngoc Phat, Video Editor, Zing News.

Vietnam, Bui Phuong Thao, International News Editor, Zing News.

CONTACT - INQUIRIES

Joon-Nie Lau, Director Asia, WAN-IFRA Asia Pacific | joon-nie.lau@wan-ifra.org | Tel: +65 6562-8442.

Joshua Wong, Associate Director, Temasek Foundation | joshuawong@temasekfoundation.org.sg | Tel: +65 8180 0741.

ABOUT WAN-IFRA WAN-IFRA is the World Association of News Publishers. Its mission is to protect the rights of journalists and publishers around the world to operate independent media. WAN-IFRA provides its members with expertise and services to innovate and prosper in a digital world and perform their crucial role in society. With formal representative status at the United Nations, UNESCO and the Council of Europe, it derives its authority from its global network of leading news publishing companies and technology entrepreneurs, and its legitimacy from its 80 national association members representing 18,000 publications in 120 countries. www.wan-ifra.org

ABOUT THE WORLD EDITORS FORUM WEF is the leading WAN-IFRA's network for editors news organisations around the world. It is built on a commitment to defend press freedom and promote editorial excellence. It was established around two decades ago and has since built up a network of editors around the world who focus on building the capacity of newsrooms through training, innovative practices, conferences and sharing of experiences. It is part of WAN-IFRA - the global organisation of the world's press. Read More

ABOUT TEMASEK FOUNDATION Temasek Foundation supports programmes that uplift lives and communities in Singapore and beyond. We aim to strengthen social resilience, foster international exchange and enhance regional capabilities, and advance science and nature for a sustainable world.