Compiled with the help of Edson C. Tandoc Jr., Wee Kim Wee School of Communication and Information, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore.

Singapore is a strategic centre for the English-speaking audience in South East Asia and a media hub for the entire region, with a highly developed if tightly controlled media market. A law to counter the spread of so-called ‘fake news’ has attracted criticism and challenge over fears that it will further limit freedom of speech.

Top Brands

Changing Media

Print consumption has declined significantly over the last few years while online and social media continue to dominate. In this high-tech city state, mobile news consumption dominates with the vast majority (81%) now accessing news via smartphone.

Trust

The new fake news law has not helped trust levels in the news (down six percentage points) or trust in the news found in social media (down two). Established traditional media companies tend to be trusted most – along with international brands like the BBC and CNN. Popular digital brands like Mothership.sg have not yet built credibility with many news users.