🇸🇬 The Straits Times

About The Straits Times

The Straits Times is owned by SPH Media Trust, which was spun off from Singapore Press Holdings (SPH) in 2021. SPH was historically a government-controlled publishing monopoly formed in 1984 through a merger pushed by the government, which also established ownership rules limiting individual stakes and a two-tier share system giving the government significant voting rights.

The Straits Times is Singapore's newspaper of record and is widely perceived to have a close relationship with the government, often aligning with the ruling People's Action Party (PAP). Media Bias/Fact Check rates it as 'Mostly Factual' but notes its reporting is limited by government censorship and the promotion of state propaganda, often using loaded words to favor conservative causes. Reporters Without Borders (RSF) and Freedom House consistently rank Singapore low in press freedom, citing strict media control laws, self-censorship, and the government's use of legislation like the Protection from Online Falsehoods and Manipulation Act (POFMA) to restrict content. RSF has even included Singapore's Prime Minister in its list of 'predators' against press freedom.