Come Thursday, Singaporeans will have a new newspaper to read.
From that day, My Paper will merge with The New Paper (TNP).
Copies of the new TNP, which will be managed by the TNP team, will be available at various places, including MRT stations and selected malls.
My Paper started as a free Chinese newspaper in 2006 and became bilingual in 2008.
TNP started in 1988.
The new newspaper’s contents will only be in English and will cater to professionals, managers, executives and businessmen.
Eugene Wee, who will take over as TNP’s editor on Thursday, said: “This will include news and analyses on the economy, jobs, property and personal finance.”
But he added the newspaper will continue to have stories that inspire and touch readers.
The new TNP will be given out on Mondays to Saturdays and will also be available for free online at tnp.sg.
Readers can also get it delivered to their homes for a fee, depending on where they live.
In the new TNP, My Paper readers can expect a thicker newspaper with more content and a wider range of stories, which aim to interest, educate and entertain.
Dave Ang, TNP’s news editor, said there will also be themes for different days, such as health, movies, food and fashion.
There will no longer be an M section, which was TNP’s entertainment supplement.
Instead, entertainment stories will be spread throughout the week.
There will also be changes on the digital front.
TNP digital news editor Jonathan Roberts said: “Online, you get more – whether it’s more pictures, more videos, interactive graphics or online exclusive content.”
The new-look website will help direct readers to more related content.
Mr Roberts, who was also involved with the redesign of TNP, said a key point was to give more content, especially on the front page.
For example, instead of devoting its entire front page to pictures, TNP will offer a full story there.
Solomon Lim, chief sub-editor, said: “We want to be able to give all the news readers need, quickly and succinctly.”
Still, Mr Lim added that TNP has always been about dramatic, visual storytelling and the Lifestyle and Sports pages will continue to reflect that.
The newsroom has been busy preparing for the first issue of the new TNP.
Dominic Nathan, the paper’s current editor, said: “We are running the current TNP and also mock-ups of the new TNP to give us an idea of the changes needed. There is also the excitement of starting a new product.”
He added that there has been much discussion with TNP stakeholders, including advertisers.
He said: “The editorial team is working closely with the marketing team to make the product a success. The signs are very promising, especially in the tough economic climate we are now experiencing.”
Where to get the new, free TNP
From Thursday, The New Paper will be distributed for free at MRT stations, selected malls and other locations such as cafes, medical centres, country clubs, car service centres, premium buses, airline lounges and serviced apartments.
You can also get it delivered to your home for a fee, depending on where you live.
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