I don’t know what’s the link between Mediacorp and SMRT, but Hossan Leong, a Singapore radio personality for The Gold Breakfast Show on Gold 90.5, was censured today for reporting on train delays on the Circle Line because he based the information on Tweets, rather than waiting for the official reports from the Circle Line operator, SMRT.
So what’s new? The same old protocol: “I say already then you can say. I haven’t say you better not say”. Apparently, waiting for official statements is more important than giving timely information that can sometimes save lives. Of course, Mediacorp would not want to embarrass itself by reporting unverified rumours, but do they really believe that so many people tweeting on site could be wrong or lying?
Being official does not mean that you’re always accurate. In fact, some passengers complained that they have been given the wrong official information from the station control staff. Perhaps they too had to wait for official permission before they could release official information to the public. The last General Elections saw me switching off my TV and tuning in to tweets. Motorists on the roads have been reporting traffic conditions to radio DJs. Must there be a confirmation from LTA before traffic updates can be made official? The folks at Mediacorp still think that they’ve got everyone by the eyeballs.
But SMRT is not without its “friends”. One “Ladyironchef” defended them. She’s quite alone, but I expected nastier replies from Mr Brown and Mr Miyagi.
More official information on the “friendship” between this “Ladyironchef” (actually some guy by the name of Brad Lau) and Circle Line can be found here. Toothfully, I don’t know about his blog until now. See, there’s no such thing as bad publicity.
More from creative Singaporeans. Circle Line has a new definition – CIRCLE LINE = Constantly In Repair & Construction, Leaving Everyone Late, Irritated, N Enraged.
The official news came pretty late in the afternoon. SMRT explained:
The bus bridging service was activated at 6.30am between Marymount and one-north stations, and at 7.35am between Serangoon and one-north MRT stations. The first bus arrived at around 7am at Marymount station.
Public announcements were made and signs were put up to inform affected passengers at stations, SMRT added.
Unofficially, passengers on site didn’t notice any helpful signs or heard any announcements. Some complained that the bus drivers didn’t know where to go. The situation was simply chaotic. And with so many passengers complaining and only one “iron lady” praising, I would rather believe the unofficial tweets. This is not the first time something like this happened and though I was not on the Circle Line today, I have been on it when things didn’t run smoothly. No announcements. I watched as the crowd grew like scary tumour cells.
Toothfully, I would be very embarrassed if I were in their shoes (SMRT, Mediacorp, “lady” iron chef). But I guess they somehow won’t feel that way. Business as usual after paying a little fine.
