Introduction and explanation of Singapore’s major media Straits Times, Lianhe Zaobao, Singapore Times
Driven by globalization and digitalization, Singapore’s media ecology presents a diversified development pattern, and its influence is not limited to the domestic public opinion field, but also radiates to Southeast Asia and even the world.
This article focuses on Singapore’s mainstream media, and systematically analyzes its communication effectiveness in vertical fields such as business, finance, and technology from three dimensions: official media background, full platform coverage, and content characteristics, to provide readers with authoritative reference.
Official media attributes and content positioning of mainstream media
Singapore’s media market is jointly dominated by private capital and state-owned institutions, forming a unique “government-led, market-operated” model. Although comprehensive media represented by Straits Times and Lianhe Zaobao belong to the private newspaper group (SPH), they have long been responsible for policy interpretation and social consensus building, and their content often reflects the government’s position; while state-owned media such as Channel News Asia (CNA) directly serve the output of national image, especially in reporting on international affairs.
The Straits Times has a daily circulation of 400,000 copies and is the leader in print media. Its digital platform has more than 5 million monthly active users, achieving an “online + offline” traffic closed loop.
Lianhe Zaobao operates through Chinese reader communities and forms secondary dissemination on Chinese social media such as WeChat and Weibo, becoming an important window for Singapore’s dissemination to China.
CNA, a subsidiary of MediaCorp, covers more than 20 Asian countries via satellite. Its financial and technology column Business Tonight is listed as a must-see content by multinational companies and continues to lead in ratings.
Digital native media such as The Straits Times and Today use short videos and interactive content to attract Generation Z through platforms such as TikTok and Instagram, making up for the shortcomings of traditional media in the dissemination of young groups.
The following are recommendations for media outlets with influence in the mainstream, business, finance, and technology fields in Singapore, and analyze their official media background and full platform influence:
1. Mainstream media
The Straits Times
All brands | SPH Media
Field: Comprehensive news (political, economic, social, and technology)
Official media background: Affiliated to Singapore Press Holdings (SPH), although it is a private enterprise, it has close ties with the government and often reflects the official position.
Print media: With a daily circulation of approximately 400,000 copies, it is the largest English newspaper in Singapore.
Digital platform: With a daily visit volume of over one million, it covers readers around the world.
Social media: One of the most active news accounts on Singapore’s social media.
Lianhe Zaobao
Field: Chinese comprehensive (focusing on finance, current affairs, and cross-strait news)
Official media background: It also belongs to the SPH Group and is approved for publication in mainland China. Its content takes into account the perspective of the Singapore government.
Influence:
Print media: Daily circulation of about 200,000 copies, mainstream Chinese media in Southeast Asia.
Digital platform: High monthly visits, core channel for Chinese elite groups.
The Singapore Times
Field: Singapore and global economic, business and technology news
Background: No official background, belongs to the International Business News series
Digital platform: High monthly visits, covering global business readers,
Website: https://www.sgtimes.com
2. Business and financial media
Business Times
Field: Financial analysis, market dynamics
Official media background: SPH’s financial daily, independent content but significantly affected by government economic policies.
Print media: Singapore’s only financial daily, the first choice for corporate executives and investors.
Digital platform: The specific number of visits is not disclosed, but it is one of the main sources of financial news in Asia Pacific.
Channel NewsAsia (CNA)
Fields: International Finance, Asia-Pacific Business
Official Media Background: Operated by MediaCorp, a state-owned media company in Singapore.
TV: Covers more than 20 Asian regions, with English news channels at the top of the ratings.
Digital Platform: Huge global traffic, focusing on in-depth international reporting.