Singapore
 |
Population: | 4,657,542 |
| Capital: | Singapore | |
| Language: | Malay, English, Mandarin & Tamil | |
| Literacy Rate: | 92.5% | |
| GDP/PP: | $52,000 | |
| Joined Commonwealth: | 15 October 1965 |
Media
Singapore's media environment is highly regulated with censorship is common. Internet access is regulated and private ownership of satellite dishes is not allowed. Government officials have a record of winning defamation suits against foreign publications. Media watchdog Reporters Without Borders says the press is "in the grip of a rigorous self-censorship" over its coverage of domestic politics.
Two players dominate the media scene. Singapore Press Holdings, which has close links to the ruling party, has a virtual monopoly of the newspaper industry. MediaCorp, owned by a state investment agency, operates TV and radio stations. The two companies merged their free newspaper and TV operations at the start of 2005.
Political debate has found an outlet on the internet; however, those who post political material are expected to register with the authorities.
Singapore is a regional pioneer of high-definition and mobile TV services. The government's multi-million dollar "Media 21" blueprint aims to turn the country into a regional hub for the digital media industry and to create thousands of new jobs in the sector.
The BBC World Service is available via an FM relay.
Newspapers
Singapore Press Holdings (SPH) - publishes 15 newspapers and six periodicals
The Straits Times - published by SPH
Business Times - published by SPH
Today - published by MediaCorp
Television
MediaCorp - operates entertainment-based Channel 5 and Channel 8, Malay channel Suria, Mandarin-language Channel U, and Channel NewsAsia
Radio
MediaCorp - operates more than a dozen stations including news and talk station 938Live, music stations and Chinese, Malay and Indian services
SPH Unionworks - operates English-language Radio 91.3 and Mandarin station Radio 100.3
