PM Lawrence Wong at The Straits Times' 180th Anniversary Dinner

Chairman, and CEO of SPH Media

My Parliamentary Colleagues

Excellencies and Distinguished Guests

Ladies and Gentlemen

I am delighted to join all of you this evening for a truly remarkable milestone – the 180th anniversary of The Straits Times.

Tribute

Not many organisations endure for 180 years – let alone in the fast-changing media world. That The Straits Times has done so speaks volumes about its relevance, its resilience, and its remarkable ability to evolve.

It began in 1845 as an 8-page English weekly – then called The Straits Times and Journal of Commerce – catering to the European community in colonial Singapore. And we all can see for ourselves a replica of the very first issue of The Straits Times. It is my first time seeing it. I do not know about you, but my first reaction was – so many advertisements! I am sure today's Straits Times team will be delighted, or SPH Media will be very happy. My second reaction was – such small print! I am told it is the actual size. So the people back then must really have very good eyesight.

Anyway, today it is the oldest English-language newspaper in East Asia – older than even global titles like the New York Times and the Daily Mail. It has built up a loyal readership across generations – in Singapore and around the world.

The Straits Times has chronicled every chapter of the Singapore Story. Through the colonial era. Through our battles against communism and communalism. Through Merger, Separation, and the struggles of early independence. And through our nation-building journey – reflecting both our achievements and the many challenges and trials we have overcome, from economic downturns to terrorist threats and pandemics. As our newspaper of record, you have not only reported the events of our time. You have also captured the spirit of every generation – our hopes, our fears and our aspirations.

And you have never stood still. You have embraced change and innovation – experimenting with new formats and technologies, adopting digital tools and online platforms, and rethinking how stories are told.

And so The Straits Times has become more than just a newspaper. You are a trusted voice for Singapore – explaining the issues of the day, helping us make sense of a complex world, connecting Singaporeans to global developments, and carrying Singapore’s perspectives beyond our shores.

That is why I was heartened to learn that the Reuters Institute had recently ranked The Straits Times as the most trusted news brand in Singapore. This is no small feat – it is a strong affirmation of your integrity and professionalism, and your commitment to credible, quality journalism.

So tonight, we honour all who have contributed to this remarkable legacy – past and present. Your efforts have shaped The Straits Times into the national institution it is today. Congratulations and thank you all for your contributions!

Navigating the Next Bound

Of course, a significant milestone like this is not just a reason to celebrate; it is also an occasion to look forward – and reflect on what lies ahead.

Over the past decades, the media landscape has gone through multiple revolutions – from the age of print to radio and television, to the rise of the internet and now the era of social media. Each wave brought significant disruptions, but also new opportunities and possibilities.

Today the pace of change is faster than ever.

News is no longer confined to broadsheets or the evening bulletin. It flows 24/7 across apps, platforms and borders – and it is consumed in a range of formats, or even summarised by AI.

Audiences are no longer passive consumers. Because anyone can be a content creator. And with so many options, people expect content tailored to their interests, delivered in their format of choice.

So around the world, including Singapore, we see these trends taking hold. Fewer people turn to print newspapers or TV for news and current affairs. More are getting their updates from digital and social media platforms.

This is true for all of us. I have experienced these changes myself. Like all of you, many Singaporeans, I grew up with The Straits Times at home. As a boy, I did not pay much attention to the main stories or the editorials – I went straight to the comics and sports pages. But habits do change. Especially after I started working, I started reading more, perhaps because I got more interested in news and current affairs because of work requirements too. But then after when I started work, reading the newspapers became a daily ritual. I would spend half an hour or more each morning reading The Straits Times cover to cover. And I will enjoy doing that. Look forward to it every morning.

But over the last decade or so, with the rise of social media, my reading habits have changed yet again. Today, I still read The Staits Times, but not the printed edition. I access everything from the app either on my tablet or phone, and I keep up with breaking news through the day.

And I must confess, The Straits Times is no longer my only morning companion. I have many others. I access current affairs and news from a variety of sources – both local and international. I follow commentary from individuals writing on Substack, I listen to podcasts, I watch video clips on YouTube. So it is a much more varied information diet.

I am sure my experience is not unique. I suspect it is true for many others.

So what does this mean for The Straits Times? Your competition is global. You are competing not just with other traditional media outlets, but also with the best content creators worldwide, and everything else on people’s screens, for their time and attention.

And you have to adapt to this new media environment.

Your key strength is your deep and consistent coverage of Singapore, and our region in Southeast Asia. So in matters of national importance – whether it is a crisis like Covid, or major events like the General Election – people still turn to you as the trusted source of information, and your direct readership goes up. But even at other times, much of what circulates online still originates from your reports.

This credibility is a real asset and competitive advantage. But as media consumption habits evolve, so must you. You will need to keep adapting, both the news products you generate, and also how you reach and engage your audiences.

This will not be easy. Adapting to these shifts will involve tough choices. There will be trade-offs to manage, including the risk of cannibalising existing formats, or disrupting longstanding work processes.

For example, to stay relevant, you will need to experiment with how content is presented across different platforms. This means rethinking how different formats can best serve diverse audience needs.

I believe there will still be a place for print, and we should all do our best to keep print newspapers viable in Singapore for as long as possible. But 10 years from now, the printed Straits Times may well look quite different from what it is today – in style, tone and length. It has to be different, if it is to remain relevant and useful to future readers.

What changes should you make in order to stay relevant? Ultimately, only The Straits Times itself can make this call – weighing the opportunities, managing the risks, and evolving in a way that stays true to your mission, while meeting the changing needs of your readers.

The Government is not in a position to prescribe the solution, nor will I attempt to do so. But let me offer three broad reflections on what The Straits Times can continue to do to stay relevant in this new media environment.

First, build on your strengths as a trusted anchor for Singaporeans.

Even as reader preferences become more diverse and fragmented, we will need trusted and unbiased source of information.

In today’s digital environment it is easy to fall into echo chambers, or be fed only what algorithms think we want to see. Singapore needs trusted media that continue to present balanced perspectives, surface different points of view, and hold meaningful conversations – so that we can better understand one another and develop a common understanding of the world.

The Straits Times must remain such a unifying force – helping Singaporeans make sense of complex issues, bridging divides, and fostering a shared identity and sense of purpose.

Second, keep quality at the core of everything you do.

Formats may evolve, but quality content never goes out of style. It is not true that people only want short videos or clickbait headlines. Succinct, timely reports will be an important news product. But long-form writing and deep-dive analysis can still draw loyal audiences, but provided the content is of high quality, insightful and well-crafted.

The temptation will be to chase eyeballs with sensational news. But that is not the path to building trust. In an age of misinformation, The Straits Times must continue to anchor public discourse with clear exposition and reliable facts.

Delivering all this consistently requires you to have a strong and capable team – across editorial, production, technical, and business functions. You will need not only professional expertise, but also a clear sense of mission – and the energy and creativity to thrive in a very challenging industry.

Your success will not be measured by the size of your profits. But by the trust you earn, the audiences you reach and the impact you make. And to do all these, you must offer competitive career paths and purposeful job responsibilities – to attract resourceful and enterprising young people to join you and help take The Straits Times forward.

Third, speak with a Singaporean voice to the world.

Today, Singaporeans can access news from countless sources. But they turn to The Straits Times for uniquely Singaporean perspectives – one that reflects our values, our interests, and our place in the world. You help readers – here and abroad – make sense of global trends through a Singapore lens.

As a small country navigating a complex and uncertain world, we need strong, credible institutions that can analyse clearly, explain deeply, and advocate confidently for Singapore’s interests. And this is the role that The Straits Times must continue to fulfil.

Supporting Trusted Public Media

Of course, delivering on this mission requires resources.

The business model for quality journalism unfortunately, is coming under strain everywhere in the world. Newsrooms across the world are shrinking and many outlets have become captive to commercial interests.

We cannot allow that to happen in Singapore. We do not want our national newspaper to be owned by billionaires with narrow or partisan agendas. Nor do we want public trust in the media to be eroded.

That is why the government is stepping in to support public service media in Singapore – to ensure that quality journalism remains viable, independent and accountable to Singaporeans. And for its part, The Straits Times must make full use of the government support you are receiving to produce a high-quality newspaper for all Singaporeans – one that informs, educates, connects, and holds our society together. And you have our full confidence and support in this mission.

Conclusion

So now, more than ever, Singapore needs trusted media – to help us navigate a more complex world, to discern fact from falsehood, and to build common ground in an age of rapid change and complexity.

I am heartened to see The Straits Times pressing on – evolving with the times, embracing innovation and staying true to your mission. Tonight, as we celebrate your 180th anniversary, we also launch your new app and website – another step forward in your continuing digital transformation.

So finally, congratulations, once again, to everyone at The Straits Times on this milestone. On behalf of all Singaporeans, thank you for 180 years of dedicated service. May you continue to inform, inspire and speak for Singapore – for many more years to come!

Thank you very much.

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