All Singapore Newspapers

A Guide to the Press of Singapore: A Multilingual and Structured Media Landscape

Welcome to your guide to the newspapers of Singapore, a nation with a highly structured, multilingual, and sophisticated media environment. The press in this city-state is a direct reflection of its multicultural society, with prominent newspapers published in all four of its official languages: English, Chinese, Malay, and Tamil. The landscape is largely shaped by two dominant media giants—SPH Media Trust and the state-owned Mediacorp—which operate in a tightly regulated environment where the press has a long-standing tradition of a close relationship with the government.

The Mainstream English-Language Press

The English-language newspapers are highly influential, serving as the primary source of news for the government, the international business community, and a large segment of the population.

• The Straits Times: As Singapore’s flagship newspaper and a national institution, The Straits Times, founded in 1845, is the country’s most prominent and widely read daily. It is the leading paper of record, providing comprehensive coverage of local, regional, and international news with a pro-government stance.
• The Business Times: For the corporate and financial sectors, The Business Times is the essential daily newspaper, offering in-depth analysis and reporting on markets, business, and the economy.
• TODAY: A popular, free daily newspaper published by Mediacorp, TODAY targets a younger, commuter audience with a mix of concise news, lifestyle features, and commentary.

The Vital Vernacular Press

Serving Singapore’s diverse communities, the vernacular newspapers are crucial pillars of the nation’s media.

• Chinese Press: Lianhe Zaobao (联合早报) is the leading Chinese-language daily in Singapore and one of the most influential Chinese newspapers in the Southeast Asian region. It is a vital source of news and opinion for the Chinese-speaking community.
• Malay Press: Berita Harian is the sole Malay-language daily, catering to the Malay/Muslim community with dedicated coverage of news and issues relevant to its readers.
• Tamil Press: Tamil Murasu (தமிழ் முரசு) is Singapore’s only Tamil-language daily newspaper, serving as the primary voice and source of information for the Tamil-speaking community.

Alternative and Digital-Native Voices

While the mainstream media is dominant, Singapore has a vibrant digital media scene that includes several popular independent and alternative news websites. These platforms often provide a different perspective on news and culture, attracting a large, younger audience.

• Mothership.sg: A highly popular digital-native platform, Mothership is known for its youth-centric, often viral, take on news, lifestyle, and social commentary.
• Alternative Portals: Other sites like The Online Citizen and Wake Up, Singapore have historically provided more critical and activist-oriented journalism, though they operate under significant regulatory pressure.

A Tightly Regulated Environment

It is important to note that the media in Singapore operates in a tightly controlled environment, and the country consistently ranks low in global press freedom indexes. The mainstream media maintains a pro-government perspective, and strict laws governing “fake news” and public order place significant constraints on journalists and alternative media outlets.

From its historic broadsheets to its vital vernacular papers and dynamic digital upstarts, the Singaporean press offers a complex and multifaceted view of this global city-state. Explore our collection on w3worldnewspapers.com to connect with the key voices of Singapore.