Singapore’s News Trust Holds Strong Amidst Global Avoidance
Singaporeans continue to place a high degree of trust in their news sources, according to a recent study. This is in stark contrast to a rising global trend of news avoidance, as many people seek to limit their exposure to negative or overwhelming information.
Trust in Local Media Remains High
The Reuters Institute’s annual survey discovered that the public’s confidence in Singaporean news remains above the global average. Mainstream media outlets are still the most trusted in the country. The Straits Times is the most trusted news brand, according to the survey.
CNA and Channel 5 News also scored high on trust, ranking second and third, respectively, among the 15 brands assessed. Overall, 45% of Singaporeans trust the news most of the time. This places Singapore at 15th globally and third in the Asia-Pacific region, behind Thailand and Hong Kong.
“The proportion of respondents in Singapore who said they sometimes or often avoid the news was 27 per cent, which was the fifth-lowest of the 48 countries and territories surveyed.”
—Reuters Institute Report
This trend is evident even as the global average for news trust hovers at 40% for the third year running. A recent study found that the percentage of people who avoid the news has increased worldwide, driven by factors such as mood and the volume of information available. (A 2023 Pew Research Center study showed that 36% of U.S. adults say they are “worn out” by the amount of news available, Pew Research).
News Consumption Habits
While online and social media platforms are the most prevalent means of news consumption, traditional media still has a significant impact. The study noted that trusted brands are frequently used when verifying facts.
ST and CNA tied for the highest offline reach, according to the survey. CNA is the most-used online news source, followed by Mothership and the ST website. WhatsApp remains the leading social media platform for news consumption in Singapore.
Overall, the report highlights the resilience of trusted news brands in Singapore, even as news consumption habits evolve. The public’s continued trust in these sources suggests a strong foundation for the future of news in the region.
