I used to organise press conference in my previous job.
And I missed that. The press invites, preparing the location, food, press kit etc. I missed it all.
It has been a long while since I organised or attended any press conference.
I included this article in my blog cos I see the humor in it.
---------------------------
New Paper
31 Aug 2008
A tale of two press conferences
PRESS conferences can be some of the most inane events on the planet.
By Ng Tze Yong
COMMENT
PRESS conferences can be some of the most inane events on the planet. They are often tediously formal and humourless, a long-drawn merry-go-round that leaves you more baffled than informed - cushioned, of course, by the nice folders and souvenir pens.
But this is a story of two interesting press conferences which took place this past week.
The first, held in a cozy function room at the Botanical Gardens on Monday, was held to announce the new rules at Speakers' Corner.
The second, held yesterday at the Grand Copthorne Hotel, dealt with the liberalisation of another place - cyberspace.
Both marked landmark events. Interesting, also, because if you watched closely, the body language told you more than the press release resting on your lap.
It is like a peek backstage, just before the curtains rise for a perfect orchestration.
The Speakers' Corner press conference was a brisk, efficient affair, co-chaired by the police and NParks.
On the plush chairs, the police officers sat erect, radiating competence. Beside them, the NParks officials sat, slouching just a little, perhaps a hint of reluctance on their faces: The new rules would require the handing over of that hot potato, Speakers' Corner, from the cops to the park rangers.
Questions
Just how - exactly - would it work?
You could see the spark in each reporter's eyes - they were waiting for the field day to begin.
'Would there be plainclothes policemen?' A polite laugh from the police, and a speech on the operational needs of police work.
Can protesters do this? Can they do that? The common refrain: Anything goes, except race and religion, but safety first.
Then, the killer question came: Can protesters burn effigies of PM Lee?
Silence. Then, COO NParks turned over his palms and explained in a mixture of exasperation and resignation. Sure, he said. 'Just don't burn down the shrubs and the trees.'
Later, back in the newsroom, I called the police and asked: Can protesters burn a Singapore flag?
The act is illegal. But could it be allowed, if considered as part of a lawful demonstration? There were 'hmmm's and 'erm's over the crackling phone line.
I was advised to seek clarification from somewhere else. The rest of the conversation was declared off-the-record.
Before we hung up, it was re-emphasised to me again, almost apologetically: Just no race, no religion, can already.
Later in the evening, a wag SMSed me: 'Would a demo to 'say no to racism' pass or fail the test?'
And 'haha :)' was my reply.
Which makes a nice transition to the press conference that came a few days later, whose target audience was not the shouters and the crazies, but the savvy eGeneration, who crave just as much to be heard.
In a hotel function room, they discussed Xiaxue, Facebook and YouTube, chaired by a panel with stern-faced members ranging from CEOs to a professor of philosophy.
Let's talk
It was not a briefing. It was an in-depth discussion. Their message: Loosen up. But caution - and consultation - were the key words.
Unlike the lightning PowerPoint presentation and slim press release at the Speakers' Corner press conference, this one came with a detailed 103-page report, with detailed bibliography and methodology.
We don't pretend to know the answers, said a member of the panel. It went a long way in tempering the scepticism.
There is black and there is white. PM Lee is leading us into the middle grey. But grey is a difficult area to straddle.
The two press conferences tried to do it. The cyberspace guys populated it with questions and suggestions.
The police and NParks broad-brushed it with vague allusions to catch phrases, and a sudden invitation to come create a ruckus.
I left it feeling baffled, doubtful and unassured.
The other one, I left feeling a little more hopeful.
And I missed that. The press invites, preparing the location, food, press kit etc. I missed it all.
It has been a long while since I organised or attended any press conference.
I included this article in my blog cos I see the humor in it.
---------------------------
New Paper
31 Aug 2008
A tale of two press conferences
PRESS conferences can be some of the most inane events on the planet.
By Ng Tze Yong
COMMENT
PRESS conferences can be some of the most inane events on the planet. They are often tediously formal and humourless, a long-drawn merry-go-round that leaves you more baffled than informed - cushioned, of course, by the nice folders and souvenir pens.
But this is a story of two interesting press conferences which took place this past week.
The first, held in a cozy function room at the Botanical Gardens on Monday, was held to announce the new rules at Speakers' Corner.
The second, held yesterday at the Grand Copthorne Hotel, dealt with the liberalisation of another place - cyberspace.
Both marked landmark events. Interesting, also, because if you watched closely, the body language told you more than the press release resting on your lap.
It is like a peek backstage, just before the curtains rise for a perfect orchestration.
The Speakers' Corner press conference was a brisk, efficient affair, co-chaired by the police and NParks.
On the plush chairs, the police officers sat erect, radiating competence. Beside them, the NParks officials sat, slouching just a little, perhaps a hint of reluctance on their faces: The new rules would require the handing over of that hot potato, Speakers' Corner, from the cops to the park rangers.
Questions
Just how - exactly - would it work?
You could see the spark in each reporter's eyes - they were waiting for the field day to begin.
'Would there be plainclothes policemen?' A polite laugh from the police, and a speech on the operational needs of police work.
Can protesters do this? Can they do that? The common refrain: Anything goes, except race and religion, but safety first.
Then, the killer question came: Can protesters burn effigies of PM Lee?
Silence. Then, COO NParks turned over his palms and explained in a mixture of exasperation and resignation. Sure, he said. 'Just don't burn down the shrubs and the trees.'
Later, back in the newsroom, I called the police and asked: Can protesters burn a Singapore flag?
The act is illegal. But could it be allowed, if considered as part of a lawful demonstration? There were 'hmmm's and 'erm's over the crackling phone line.
I was advised to seek clarification from somewhere else. The rest of the conversation was declared off-the-record.
Before we hung up, it was re-emphasised to me again, almost apologetically: Just no race, no religion, can already.
Later in the evening, a wag SMSed me: 'Would a demo to 'say no to racism' pass or fail the test?'
And 'haha :)' was my reply.
Which makes a nice transition to the press conference that came a few days later, whose target audience was not the shouters and the crazies, but the savvy eGeneration, who crave just as much to be heard.
In a hotel function room, they discussed Xiaxue, Facebook and YouTube, chaired by a panel with stern-faced members ranging from CEOs to a professor of philosophy.
Let's talk
It was not a briefing. It was an in-depth discussion. Their message: Loosen up. But caution - and consultation - were the key words.
Unlike the lightning PowerPoint presentation and slim press release at the Speakers' Corner press conference, this one came with a detailed 103-page report, with detailed bibliography and methodology.
We don't pretend to know the answers, said a member of the panel. It went a long way in tempering the scepticism.
There is black and there is white. PM Lee is leading us into the middle grey. But grey is a difficult area to straddle.
The two press conferences tried to do it. The cyberspace guys populated it with questions and suggestions.
The police and NParks broad-brushed it with vague allusions to catch phrases, and a sudden invitation to come create a ruckus.
I left it feeling baffled, doubtful and unassured.
The other one, I left feeling a little more hopeful.
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