September 25, 2025
SINGAPORE – There are regulations in place to guard against foreign interference in editorial content and decision-making in local newspapers and broadcast media, said Minister for Digital Development and Information Josephine Teo.
She was responding on Sept 24 to Workers’ Party MP Fadli Fawzi (Aljunied GRC), who asked if the Ministry of Digital Development and Information knew of the details of a proposed collaboration between SPH Media Trust and several Chinese state-owned news organisations.
He also asked if the ministry had assessed whether there was potential foreign interference.
In a written parliamentary reply, Mrs Teo said it was not clear which proposed collaboration Mr Fadli was referring to.
SPH Media, as a news agency that covers international developments, should be plugged into the international media network. It should have many collaborations with industry players, including Chinese news organisations, to share content and insights on the latest developments in the media landscape, she added.
Mrs Teo noted that local newspaper and broadcasting companies are barred from receiving funds from foreign sources for non-commercial purposes.
“These safeguards apply regardless of whether the newspaper is receiving Government funding, and we will take swift action should we detect any signs of foreign interference in our local media,” she said.
SPH Media Trust (SMT) is the parent company of SPH Media, which publishes The Straits Times and other titles including Chinese-language daily Lianhe Zaobao.
A group of senior executives from SPH Media met media outlets in China in July, to discuss challenges faced by mainstream news organisations.
The four-day visit to Beijing was to gain insight into the latest developments, innovations and trends shaping China’s media landscape through engagements with mainstream media outlets there, SPH Media said. These include China Media Group, People’s Daily and Xinhua News Agency.
The group also visited Tsinghua University’s School of Journalism and Communication, technology and media companies, as well as official entities.