Purveyors Of Passion

Motoring writers tell stories that stir the souls of petrolheads, but cars aside, what also keeps them going is encouragement from readers, says our associate editor.

DURING a work trip two years ago, I had an interesting chat with a Jordanian journalist as we were being driven to the airport.

He said that during a meeting with one of his advertisers, the client asked him: “Why should I support you?”

Without missing a beat, he replied: “Because my words are what my readers and viewers will use when convincing or advising their family/friends about cars.”

Hearing this, the client promptly signed another ad contract.

Oh, if it were only that easy in Singapore.

A decade ago, writing a good story that had context and drew on our personal experiences and expertise, was the biggest challenge we faced. We had to have great photos, too, but that was par for the course.

Back then, this content made magazines attractive to readers and advertisers.

Today, when advertisers can be publishers, too, journalists wonder if their work still matters. This jaded view and selfdoubt are also fuelled by our sceptical nature.