ST responds to ACS Old Boys, said it was 'necessary & useful' to provide 'verifiable' info on scam ring

The Straits Times (ST) has responded to the Anglo-Chinese School (ACS) Old Boys' Association contention about the paper's singling out of one of its alumni in its reporting on the 27 wanted Singaporeans involved in a Cambodia-based scam ring.

It said that it saw it "necessary and useful" to provide its readers with as much "verifiable information" as possible as it emerges and becomes publicly available.

Necessary and useful information

In an editor's note to the OBA President's forum letter, the paper shared that its Oct. 30 report on the Singapore-linked scam gang "was not intended to be, nor could it be, exhaustive".

"There remain many individuals about whom we still have limited information, but continue to investigate. We expect more details to emerge," ST wrote.

However, given the gravity of the crime with victims in Singapore and the region, the paper saw it was "necessary and useful" for readers to be provided with as much "verifiable information" about the individuals involved as possible as it "emerges and becomes publicly available".

ST said it had previously published stories where the educational background of those featured were mentioned.

This includes when they are accused or convicted of serious crimes.

"As was our intent here, the aim was not to cast the school in a negative light, but to report the facts and include background which adds texture to the story," ST concluded.

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