Julia Nay, Assistant Manager, Online Communications Office, Media Policy & Content Group, Infocomm Media Development Authority of Singapore

1) What does public service mean to you? Can you share more about your role in the public sector?

Public service is one of the most direct ways I can give back to the community. It’s meaningful knowing that the work you do every day has a tangible effect on the lives of people around you, even if they don’t see what goes on behind it.

As a Manager in the Online Communications Office at Infocomm Media Development Authority of Singapore (IMDA), I support the design, operationalisation, and enforcement of online safety and content regulations for Singapore.

I believe that the policies we develop today will shape the digital environment that future generations inherit.

For instance, young users are now better protected because of the regulations we put in place, and users in Singapore generally have a safer online environment because of the standards we hold platforms to.

This really reinforces why the work we do matters!

2) Tell us about a project you championed. What impact did it have on the community?

One project I am particularly proud of working on has made significant steps in ensuring app stores are held accountable for the content they allow on their platforms.

Through the introduction of the Code of Practice for Online Safety for App Distribution Services (ADS Code), designated app stores put in place systems and processes to curtail the exposure of harmful content for users in Singapore.

App stores are a primary gateway for people to access digital content, yet there is limited regulatory accountability for the harmful content users might have access to.

As part of ADS Code, designated app stores are also required to implement age assurance measures to ensure young users only access and download age-appropriate content.

I believe this requirement will have a lasting impact on how these services think about their responsibilities towards protecting children from online harms.

3) As a young professional, how has your unique background or perspective allowed you to contribute meaningfully?

Growing up in the digital era gave me an intuitive understanding of how online platforms work and how users interact on them.

Being on these platforms also helps me stay up to date with the latest online trends so I can spot potential online risks, especially given how quickly harmful content may emerge and spread across platforms.

Because of this, I can anticipate how regulatory measures might play out in practice, then assess and make recommendations on how to narrow any gaps.

4) What is your personal strategy for staying motivated when managing heavy workloads and tight deadlines?

As a structured person, I tend to get overwhelmed easily when there is ambiguity, which is often the case in a constantly evolving space like online safety.

I try to take time to clarify immediate objectives and priorities so that I have clear milestones to work towards, while remaining flexible so that I don’t get too discouraged when directions shift.

I’ve also been fortunate to have built genuine relationships with colleagues around me, who bring great energy, support, and fun to the workplace.

Working alongside colleagues who care so deeply about the work that we do makes it easier to pull through stressful periods.

5) What is your greatest ambition as you grow in your public service career?

I hope to develop deeper expertise in my domain area and become someone that colleagues and stakeholders can turn to for sound judgment and trusted advice.

Beyond that, I also want to continue working on complex issues with real social impact, whether in policy development or programme implementation in other fields, as long as the work makes a meaningful contribution to the community.

6) What is a “universal value” that connects everyone in your department – from interns to directors – and how do you use that to drive collaboration?

It would have to be adaptability so we don’t become complacent. Because the landscape is constantly evolving, new risks can emerge faster than our policies can sometimes anticipate.

I believe everyone on the team understands that and tries their best to stay agile. We try new technologies or find smarter ways to handle tasks, which lets us free up time to tackle more complex issues while keeping a close watch on industry trends.

Despite how intense it can get, I really appreciate the team’s willingness to keep improving the way we work!

7) What is the best piece of advice you’ve got for the next generation of public servants?

It would be to stay curious and grounded.

It is important to keep learning and remain open to different perspectives, especially since policies, technologies, and public expectations will only continue to evolve.

Good public service is ultimately about understanding how decisions affect real communities. Hence, it is important to never lose sight of the ‘why’ behind the work that we do.

8) Write a letter to your future self in 2035. Please keep it within 200 words.

Dear 2035 Julia,

I hope you’ve had a fulfilling journey in the public service over the past 10 years and that you’ve made a meaningful impact, even if in small ways.

I hope you’ve overcome the hard moments in your career, continued to step out of your comfort zone, and grown into a confident and positive person.

Remember to continue to cherish the people and experiences around you, both at work and in your personal life.

Sincerely, Julia in 2026