The Straits Times has a big piece of “news” today on the best law firms in Singapore. The paper, one of several under Singapore Press Holdings, claims that the selection is based on surveys.
Everyone knows that print is almost dead and here in Singapore, newspapers are struggling.
I counted about eight adverts placed by law firms today, all strategically placed in that “report” on law firms.
One ad screamed “Savior of Death Row Prisoner” and “Saved two lives in 10 months” – all headlines from newspapers in the Singapore Press Holdings.
“Advertorials” and paid publicity – often disguised as “news” – are the lifeblood of publications, together with ads, of course.
I’m not so naïve not to know how all this works.
But methinks me do sniff whiffs of desperation here.