the(new)mediaslut

Singapore’s Health Sciences Authority has decided to introduce more rules to ensure that companies do not use “educational campaigns” to push products.

This after relaxing rules four years ago.

However, it was a statement in the news reports that raises question of the integrity of Singapore media.

Wrote MyPaper,

There are also promotions of new and innovative products that lack long term safety data, said HSA deputy directory, Madam C. Suwarin.

She said some drug companies were also becoming “too creative”, such as paying for editorial coverage in newspapers, magazines or radio.

I hope Madam C. Suwarin understands the difference between an editorial and advertorial.

An advertorial is a page that an advertiser purchase to have details about the product in a page. Most of the time, the content of the advertorial is controlled by the advertiser.

On the other hand, editorials are pure coverage that interests the writer to write about that would in turn interest the readers.

I have questions when publications disguise advertorial as an editorial.

However, most publications are smart not to confuse the two as it will affect the integrity of the publication.

So I was wondering if Madam C. Suwarin could share any evidence that these drugs companies are “paying for editorial coverage in the newspapers, magazines or radio”.

Such sweeping statements, not only affect the integrity of the publication, but that of the journalist too.