Wake Up, Singapore
(WUSG)
| Other names | WUSG |
|---|---|
| Status | Active |
| Type | Alternative news website |
| Purpose | Promoting alternative voices, reform, and social justice in Singapore. |
| Leadership | |
| Founder | Ariffin Sha |
| Organisation | |
| Formed | 1 September 2013 (13 years ago) |
| Headquarters | Singapore |
| Region served | Singapore |
| Employees (2026}) | Volunteer-run |
| Revenue | Non-profit |
Wake Up, Singapore (WUSG) is an independent, alternative news and media website in Singapore founded in September 2013. Run primarily by a community of young volunteer activists, the platform aims to voice alternative viewpoints on local and global issues, advocate for socio-political reform, and challenge pervasive cynicism and apathy within the country.[1]
Mission and Vision
The platform's stated goal is to "awaken the collective conscience and awareness of Singaporeans," with a specific emphasis on engaging youth. It operates under the foundational philosophy that "the future of politics is now, the future of activism is now, and the future of news is now."
WUSG regularly covers alternative topics that it considers underreported or avoided by mainstream state-aligned media outlets. Over its operational history, it has spotlighted causes related to marginalized groups, including the working class, healthcare worker burnout during the pandemic, food delivery rider grievances regarding CPF contributions, racism, and the death penalty.[1]
Notable Public Incidents
2022 KKH Miscarriage Story Controversy
On 23 March 2022, Wake Up, Singapore published an unverified story submitted by a reader claiming that she had suffered a miscarriage at KK Women's and Children's Hospital (KKH) due to a four-hour waiting time, and that the hospital had disposed of the foetus as medical waste.[2]
Following a police report lodged by KKH and a subsequent investigation, the story was found to be entirely fabricated by the source, who had provided doctored invoices and documents to WUSG. WUSG took down the posts, issued an unreserved public apology to KKH, and cooperated with the authorities.
The incident resulted in two primary state actions:
- POFMA Direction: On 27 March 2022, the Ministry of Health (MOH) instructed the POFMA Office to issue a correction direction to WUSG, which the platform complied with.[3]
- Criminal Defamation Conviction: In August 2024, the platform's founder, Ariffin Iskandar Sha Ali Akbar, pleaded guilty to criminal defamation for publishing the story without adequate verification and was fined S$8,000. The fabricator of the story was fined S$10,000.[2]
Operations and Recruitment
Wake Up, Singapore operates as a non-profit, user-supported, and volunteer-run media vehicle. It actively encourages members of the public to contribute to its growth as a community platform.
The organization regularly seeks external support and recruits public hands for the following functional areas:
- Reporting on current affairs.
- Writing opinion pieces on issues of public interest.
- Creating alternative video and digital media content for TikTok.
The platform can be contacted via its official team administration email at [email protected].
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 "We stand with Wake Up, Singapore". SG Climate Rally. Retrieved 17 May 2026.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 "Woman and Wake Up, Singapore founder fined for fabricating miscarriage story at KKH". The Online Citizen. Retrieved 17 May 2026.
- ↑ "Singapore This Week". Jom Media. Retrieved 17 May 2026.