The case against STOMP

I once described STOMP, The Straits Times section for "citizen journalism", as the place where Singaporeans go to whine publicly about non-issues, where intelligent discourse goes to die, and a glorious showcase in Singaporean idiocy, wrapped up in a site design that renders it into a steaming pile of radioactive, mind-numbing, IQ-reducing poop that even flies wouldn't approach out of fear.

'Driver parks illegally at Holland V to show off his Ferrari', stories about public displays of affection, and "Star Blogs" about cam-whoring are samples of such sterling news reporting that can be read, dissected, and commented on at STOMP. ST Editor Han Fook Kwang said they want 'STOMP to become a forum of lively discussions - whether the topics are weighty national issues or where to get the best bak chor mee.'

The only problem, Mr Han, is the almost total lack of 'weighty national issues'. Nothing was mentioned when the amendments to the Public Order Act stipulated that a crowd of one can classed as an illegal gathering and arrestable offence, for example. Or questioning why Siew Kum Hong was not granted a second NMP term.

That is not to say that Singapore does not have a vibrant blogosphere covering the gamut of topics from weighty national issues to where to get the best bak chor mee and everything in between. There are quite a few prominent bloggers out there writing about topics people give a damn about, with more substance and a significant audience. Hell, even Xiaxue, who makes me want to dig my heart out with a rusty spoon, is better than STOMP. And I detest Xiaxue.

As opposed to the free-for-all loudspeaker that STOMP is, blogs are a democracy; if you write a crappy blog, you will not get an audience, or maybe even slammed by other bloggers. STOMP, being an instrument of the state's mouthpiece, is a natural conduit of imbecilic sewage that you cannot avoid, unless you ignore the mainstream media. As ST is widely circulated, there is no escape for a large part of the population.

The consequence of this is that STOMP is inconsequential. It does not serve any purpose other than to let the locals vent their frustrations at non-issues to a large audience blind to real issues, thus giving unnecessary attention to subjects that do not matter and contributing to the deadening of real progress in this country.

If the press really want to engage bloggers to give an alternative view, they had their chance, and blew it when TODAY took down Mr Brown's column in its paper three years ago, with Mr Miyagi resigning his column shortly after. STOMP reminds us that there is no substitute for the real deal, and its status as the laughing stock of the local online world is well deserved.

It is time to let STOMP die the inglorious death the abomination has earned.

Comments

[MrIllusion]

Lol you do realize you are giving STOMP the publicity they don't deserve. Kinda like flaming a troll on forums.

Don't like STOMP myself, but i suspect the reason they get volume is becuz the kind of things they put up just happen to attract more people.

Many sites started out with some degree of coherence... like sammyboy, youngpap etc. But over time they just devolve into primordial goo...

[Shawn Lim]

Its time someone spoke about about how STOMP is not a "citizen journalism" website at all. Far from it. It is where people, who have no clue on what is "citizen journalism" about, gather to see who is making out in the train and who is digging their nose on the bus. I would very much like The Straits Times to close STOMP down and ask Mr Brown to do "citizen journalism" for them, what do you think?

[Callan Tham]

@MrIllusion,

I'm sure they want traffic, much like TV and radio wants ratings. But to say it is for "weighty national issues" is a lie. It shows a lack of journalism standards and should be exposed as such. As for sites you mentioned, it's exactly why blogs are better. Blogs have to compete based on content and quality; boards, forums and STOMP compete based on quantity and sensationalism.

Besides, I really doubt ST has the balls to put this piece up on any of their sites. If they do, they're welcome, provided I get contacted first.

@Shawn,
I think Mr Brown already knows what he's in for after his experience with TODAY; I'll be surprised if ST would ask, and equally so if he agreed. I don't think old media in Singapore is ready for people like him and Mr Wang. Or people like me. Not that it's a completely bad thing :)

[Shawn Lim]

Hey MrIllusion, do u blog? :)

@callan

Hahahs. I don't mind you writing for the papers. Singaporeans need a laugh :)

[MrIllusion]

@Shawn:
Nah I don't blog with frequency. Not on socio-political issues anyway. ^-^

@Callan:
Well whatever their intentions were, STOMP is something else now.

In any case, people who do read blogs have their own means of finding content. Citizen Journalism is just something they claimed in order to attract viewers.

People who do read STOMP despite the marketing talk probably enjoy whatever content they are pushing out. Those who don't simply look elsewhere.

[Callan Tham]

@MrIllusion,

I agree that people who read STOMP probably enjoy their content, but I also think with a large potential audience, the content they deliver is sorely lacking in quality and substance. That is a beef that a lot of us hold. Most stories there have zero value, and zero merit to be a story.

It is as much an indictment against Singapore society as it is against ST for their showcasing of STOMP as a vehicle of citizen journalism, and because of that it should just die. I'm saying "enough already".