Banner Image: Market Insights Singapore, n.d
The local prints, radios and television broadcaster in Singapore are distributed by two big media companies in Singapore, namely, MediaCorp and Singapore Press Holdings(SPH) Limited.
Singapore Press Holdings
SPH publishes 19 newspapers across four languages – including major dailies such as The Straits Times and Lianhe Zaobao – dominating the newspaper publishing industry in Singapore. In addition, the company publishes more than 100 magazines in English, Chinese and other languages, ranging from lifestyle, beauty, parenting to business.
SPH publishes 19 newspapers across four languages – including major dailies such as The Straits Times and Lianhe Zaobao – dominating the newspaper publishing industry in Singapore. In addition, the company publishes more than 100 magazines in English, Chinese and other languages, ranging from lifestyle, beauty, parenting to business.
Apart from print media, SPH owns 3 radio channels, One FM 91.3, Kiss 92FM and UFM100.3. It has also launched a number of online and new media products and services such as AsiaOne, a free news and infotainment website; [ST701, an online classifieds Stomp, a citizen-journalism website; omy.sg, a bilingual news and interactive portal; and The Straits Times RazorTV, a free webcast service that offers video on-demand clips.
Image Source: UNSW wikispace, n,d
MediaCorp
Being the only Television broadcaster in Singapore, MediaCorp owns 7 different television channel in 4 different languages, namely, Channel 5, Channel 8, Channel U, Suria, Vasantham, Channel NewsAsia and Okto. In 11 December 2016, Mediacorp switched its entire broadcasting operations over to become fully digital. MediaCorp also own most of the radio channels in Singapore, for example, English stations- GOLD 905, CLASS 95, 987FM, Chinese stations- YES 933, CAPITAL 95.8FM, and Malay/Tamil stations- Ria 89.7FM, Warna 94.2FM, Oli 96.8FM In print, MediaCorp owns a 60% stake in a daily free sheet-TODAY and several Magazines.
Being the only Television broadcaster in Singapore, MediaCorp owns 7 different television channel in 4 different languages, namely, Channel 5, Channel 8, Channel U, Suria, Vasantham, Channel NewsAsia and Okto. In 11 December 2016, Mediacorp switched its entire broadcasting operations over to become fully digital. MediaCorp also own most of the radio channels in Singapore, for example, English stations- GOLD 905, CLASS 95, 987FM, Chinese stations- YES 933, CAPITAL 95.8FM, and Malay/Tamil stations- Ria 89.7FM, Warna 94.2FM, Oli 96.8FM In print, MediaCorp owns a 60% stake in a daily free sheet-TODAY and several Magazines.
History Timeline
Censorships & Media Freedom
Press Freedom Ranking 2016: 154 (Source: RSF, 2016)
In Singapore, other than the MediaCorp’s daily free sheet-Today, all daily newspapers including the most established Straits Times are printed by Singapore Press Holdings which is highly controlled by the the Newspaper and Printing Presses Act of 1974.
In Singapore Press Holdings, management shareholders can be appointed by the government, hence, indirectly promotes self-censorship amongst journalists.
State-owned MediaCorp with 7 television channels and 14 radio channels, is by far the largest media provider and the only television broadcaster in Singapore. Both prints and television broadcaster is regulated by Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA), led the press to adapt a non-adversarial approach to reporting. Other than the highly-controlled local media, Singapore is also restrictive to foreign media. The IMDA requires importers to "ensure that the publications/ audio materials brought in for distribution do not feature content which could be considered objectionable on moral, racial or religious grounds, or deemed detrimental to Singapore's national interests”. Imported media contents has to meet the IMDA’s content guidelines under the Registered Importers Scheme. According to a media release in 2000 by Minister of Information, Communications and the Arts, Mr Lee Yock Suan,
Our local media plays a unique role in nation-building and fostering community values. Singaporeans must have our own media which continue to report on local highlights and viewpoints, and anchor Singaporeans to Singapore. Regular reporting on Singaporean affairs must always remain under local control.
This shows that the people in Singapore is aware of the media censorship in Singapore, and the priority of media outlets in Singapore is to promote harmony rather than reporting the truth.
Press Freedom Ranking 2016: 154 (Source: RSF, 2016)
In Singapore, other than the MediaCorp’s daily free sheet-Today, all daily newspapers including the most established Straits Times are printed by Singapore Press Holdings which is highly controlled by the the Newspaper and Printing Presses Act of 1974.
In Singapore Press Holdings, management shareholders can be appointed by the government, hence, indirectly promotes self-censorship amongst journalists.
State-owned MediaCorp with 7 television channels and 14 radio channels, is by far the largest media provider and the only television broadcaster in Singapore. Both prints and television broadcaster is regulated by Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA), led the press to adapt a non-adversarial approach to reporting. Other than the highly-controlled local media, Singapore is also restrictive to foreign media. The IMDA requires importers to "ensure that the publications/ audio materials brought in for distribution do not feature content which could be considered objectionable on moral, racial or religious grounds, or deemed detrimental to Singapore's national interests”. Imported media contents has to meet the IMDA’s content guidelines under the Registered Importers Scheme. According to a media release in 2000 by Minister of Information, Communications and the Arts, Mr Lee Yock Suan,
Our local media plays a unique role in nation-building and fostering community values. Singaporeans must have our own media which continue to report on local highlights and viewpoints, and anchor Singaporeans to Singapore. Regular reporting on Singaporean affairs must always remain under local control.
This shows that the people in Singapore is aware of the media censorship in Singapore, and the priority of media outlets in Singapore is to promote harmony rather than reporting the truth.