NUS Department of Communications & New Media

📰🌏 On 19 August, welcomed journalists from the Asia Journalism Fellowship (AJF) 2026 for an afternoon of discussion, knowledge-sharing and exchange on some of the most pressing challenges facing journalists today.

AJF brings together seasoned journalists from across the region to learn and collaborate. The programme is hosted by the Institute of Policy Studies, National University of Singapore, at the National University of Singapore, in partnership with Temasek Foundation.

At CNM, the Fellows explored questions at the intersection of journalism, technology, strategic communication, and public trust:

🔎 Who shares what? Dr Kokil Jaidka examined information sources and sharing behaviour, and what these patterns mean for newsrooms. In US and Singapore, frequent sharers of information do not lean towards a specific source, and they use both professional and personal sources. The different profiles of information sharers in both contexts highlight the need for tailored communication and literacy initiatives.

🌏 How do we communicate during global crises? Dr Ivy Fong's study of strategic communications by companies during the Russia-Ukraine war shows that companies' first response predicts their subsequent actions, and that their strategy often reveals hidden power dynamics. Journalists can gauge from these signals which companies will follow through with what they say they will do, and which stakeholders hold the most influence.

🤖 How can we build digital trust in an age of misinformation and AI? Dr Carol Soon spoke about the public's expectations for technology providers and institutions (e.g., the government, private sector and people sector). Their needs and expectations have implications for the design of technology and digital literacy programmes, and capacity building for community organisations.

🧠 And how can communities fight misinformation together? Ms Mabel Koh of CheckMate Singapore spoke about its community-led and community-based approach to fact checking. She also shared findings from CheckMate's analysis on what makes a post go viral. Topic saliency, emotional resonance, informational utility and novelty matter!

A big thank you to the AJF 2026 Fellows for joining us at CNM, and to everyone who contributed to an afternoon of thoughtful conversations and connections. We hope the exchange continues long after the visit.

As Singapore removes the contact details of most public officers from its online directory amid growing concerns around scams and phishing, a broader question emerges: should we rethink how much personal information we make publicly accessible online?

In this episode of CNA938, 's Assistant Professor Ivy Fong joined Daniel Martin to explore what this shift could mean for companies, professional profiles and platforms such as LinkedIn, and where we should draw the line between being accessible and protecting ourselves from digital risks.

🎧 Listen to the full discussion here: https://www.channelnewsasia.com/listen/cna938-rewind/should-all-companies-profile-pages-linkedin-pages-start-removing-contact-details-sgtoday-6298146

📚✨ New semester. New faces. New conversations.

Whether you're a new major or returning for another semester, Meet CNM 2026 is the perfect opportunity to meet new people, reconnect with friends, and get to know the faculty and community that make up .

Chat with fellow students, faculty members, and seniors who have been in your shoes. Ask questions—big or small—about classes, internships, student exchange opportunities, Honours Projects, campus life, or simply what to expect in the semester ahead.

You'll also get an overview of the Communications and New Media programme, including degree requirements and the different pathways available, so you can plan your academic journey with confidence.

📅 Event Details

📍 Date: 19 August 2026 (Wednesday)
⏰ Time: 3.00pm – 4.30pm
📍 Venue: Yusof Ishak House Level 5, Assembly
🎟️ Open to all CNM major
🍪 Light refreshments provided

We can't wait to welcome you - see you there!

Despite the rise of social media, influencers and AI-generated content, new research from Indonesia and Singapore suggests that during elections, audiences continue to rely on trusted legacy media for credibility and clarity.

In a recent commentary first published by 360info, 's Associate Professor Carol Soon and Dr Maria Monica Wihardja (ISEAS – Yusof Ishak Institute and NUS Department of Southeast Asian Studies) examine how voters navigate the fragmented nature of our modern information landscape.

Drawing on findings from the 2024 Indonesian presidential election and the 2025 Singapore general election, they explore why trusted news institutions continue to matter, how short-form content is reshaping political communication, and why civic literacy and thoughtful AI governance will be essential for the future of democracy.

📖 Read the full commentary here: https://www.thejakartapost.com/opinion/2026/07/29/how-indonesia-and-singapore-handle-information-pressure

This article was originally published under Creative Commons by 360info: 360info.org/how-indonesia-and-singapore-handle-information-pressure/

"What I did not expect were the people."

When we think about university, we recall the deadlines, the lecture theatres, the coffee-fuelled study sessions, and the rush to submit one last assignment.

But looking back, what stays with us most are the people.

📝 In this personal reflection, Ms Aayushi Das, Alumna of the Master of Arts (Arts and Cultural Entrepreneurship) programme, shares how her time at became more than an academic journey. Through friendships, conversations and shared experiences, she found that the people around her embodied many of the ideas explored in the classroom, each offering a different way of understanding creativity, culture and the world.

🔗 Read the full piece here: fass.nus.edu.sg/cnm/2026/07/01/people-polity-and-pedagogy/

The ability to spot deepfakes may no longer be enough.

As AI-generated content becomes more sophisticated, the challenge is no longer just identifying what's fake, but understanding how AI is reshaping trust, public discourse and the way we navigate information online.

Join us for the next CNM Research Talk, where Associate Professor Guanxiong Huang (City University of Hong Kong) will explore how multimodal disinformation is transforming today's information environment, and why media literacy must evolve to help individuals become more resilient in the age of AI.

The session will be moderated by Associate Professor Carol Soon from the Department of Communications and New Media.

📅 Date: 26 August 2026 (Wednesday)
⏰ Time: 3.00pm – 4.30pm
📍 Venue: CNM Playroom (AS6-03-28)
🎟️ In person

We look forward to seeing you there.

🤖 AI is becoming part of everyday life, from the content we see and the recommendations we receive to the decisions that increasingly shape our opportunities and experiences.

But isn't just a neutral technological innovation. It also raises important questions about power, accountability, and governance.

🔎 's Artificial Intelligence, Algorithms and Governance (NM3254) explores how AI and algorithmic systems influence communication, society, and decision-making, while examining the policies, institutions and values that shape these technologies in return.

The course will be taught by Associate Professor Taberez Ahmed Neyazi, Principal Investigator at the Centre for Trusted Internet and Community and Editor-in-Chief of The International Journal of Press/Politics.

🔗 Learn more: https://nusmods.com/courses/NM3254/artificial-intelligence-algorithms-and-governance

National University of Singapore
NUS Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences

🚨 The world is more connected than ever—and so is every crisis. A single post, statement or delayed response can quickly shape public perception and influence how events unfold.

Whether it's a public health emergency, product recall, or viral controversy, effective communication plays a critical role in managing risk and maintaining public trust.

🔎 's Communicating Risk and Crisis in the Digital Age (NM3252) introduces students to the principles and practice of risk and crisis communication. Through real-world case studies and hands-on activities, students learn how to analyse crises, develop communication strategies, and engage stakeholders across traditional and digital media.

This course will be taught by Assistant Professor Soo Jung Hong, whose research focuses on health and risk communication.

🔗 Learn more: https://nusmods.com/courses/NM3252/communicating-risk-and-crisis-in-the-digital-age

National University of Singapore
NUS Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences

🎬 Every day, we stream shows, scroll social media, and consume content from around the world. But behind every platform and every piece of content is a media industry shaped by business, policy, and culture.

🔎 's Media Industries in the Global Age (NM3251) explores how media systems operate in Singapore and around the world, examining why content may travel globally while production, regulation and industry structures often remain rooted in national contexts.

Through media analysis, industry engagement and field trips, students gain a deeper understanding of the forces shaping the modern media landscape.

The course will be instructed by Senior Lecturer Dr Jinna Tay, whose teaching and research explore media and cultural studies, television, media audiences, national identities, and popular culture.

🔗 Learn more: https://nusmods.com/courses/NM3251/media-industries-in-the-global-age

National University of Singapore
NUS Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences

📱 Every commute, food delivery, map search, and neighbourhood recommendation is shaped by digital platforms and the data behind them.

Cities today aren't just built with roads and buildings. They're also shaped by media, algorithms, and digital infrastructures.

🔎 's course on Media, City and Public Culture (NM3250) explores how media and communications influence the way we experience urban life, from community and identity to citizenship and inequality.

The course will be taught by Assistant Professor Jun Yu, whose research examines how data, platforms and algorithmic systems reshape the ways people understand, evaluate and act in everyday life.

🔗 Learn more: https://nusmods.com/courses/NM3250/media-city-and-public-culture

National University of Singapore
NUS Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences