Join us in celebrating The Straits Times’ 180-year anniversary!
This year, ST marks its 180th anniversary and is celebrating with a series of events and activities aimed at bringing ST closer to the community and its audiences.
PUBLISHED: JAN 3, 2025 | UPDATED: JULY 17, 2025
JAIME HO
Editor
As The Straits Times marks its 180th anniversary, we take pride in our past, but it is just as important to look to the future with humility and a clear sense of purpose.
We are at a pivotal moment. The world has not only changed; in many ways, it has already been transformed. And as journalists, we do more than report on these changes – we live them. Journalism today reflects many of the upheavals and uncertainties shaping our communities and societies.
We often speak of shifts in the global order, but these changes are not abstract or distant. They touch every aspect of our lives, influencing how countries relate to one another and how individuals engage with their societies, neighbours and institutions.
Amid these shifts, our own industry is undergoing rapid transformation. We face fundamental questions around the rise of generative artificial intelligence, evolving funding models, growing news fatigue and the increasing tendency among audiences to avoid the news altogether. But even as we confront these challenges, we must not lose sight of our role in helping communities make sense of the world around them.
Since its founding in 1845, The Straits Times has stood as a key pillar of Singapore society. We have chronicled the nation’s triumphs and struggles, and we have helped frame national conversations. Yet today, we operate in a vastly different environment – one marked by information overload, rampant misinformation and fragmented audiences. Our traditional gatekeeping role has weakened. The digital noise is louder than ever.
On top of all this, we are witnessing growing societal polarisation. Echo chambers, online grievances and filter bubbles have narrowed the space for dialogue and understanding. Trust in institutions, including the media, has eroded in many parts of the world. Even the idea of “community” is evolving, with online interactions often replacing traditional forms of civic engagement.
In the face of this, journalism must re-evaluate its role. It must respond to the needs of societies that are not only changing but increasingly fractured.
We are fortunate in Singapore that trust in institutions remains relatively strong. The polarising forces seen elsewhere have not taken deep root here. The broad middle has held – but it cannot be taken for granted.
Rather than dwelling on disruption, we should recognise this moment as an opportunity. Journalists have always adapted, guided by a deep belief in the power of information to help build a better future.
The challenges of today can spark renewed courage and innovation. But our response cannot be limited to tactics like optimising headlines, chasing algorithms or deploying AI to improve engagement. These tools are important, and they are now part of any newsroom’s daily life. But they are not the heart of what we do.
Our purpose must go deeper. We need to rethink how we connect with the communities we serve. This means listening closely to what matters to them, understanding their hopes and anxieties, and delivering journalism that is relevant and meaningful.
We must move beyond a transactional relationship with our readers. We need to build partnerships. This involves creating space for dialogue, surfacing diverse voices and investing in journalism that is community-driven and collaborative.
Many of the activities under the ST180 banner reflect this spirit. They are built on the idea that journalism is not just something we produce, but something we do with, and for, the people we serve.
Staying relevant in today’s media landscape also means embracing new storytelling formats. We must use data visualisation, social media and interactive experiences to explain complex issues in clear, accessible ways.
To this end, we’ve launched a refreshed website and mobile app – faster, cleaner and more customisable. We’re also committed to meeting audiences on the platforms they prefer, while maintaining the integrity and values that define our journalism.
This journey requires experimentation, a willingness to learn from failure and the agility to evolve alongside our society.
Crucially, it also means reinforcing journalism’s role as a unifying force. In a time of fragmentation, we must help bridge divides, offer clarity and facilitate conversations that bring people together.
At The Straits Times, we remain committed to this mission. We aim to present diverse perspectives fairly, accurately and sensitively. We strive to provide a space for respectful exchange – and to highlight the values and experiences that connect us as Singaporeans.
We aspire to be a source of shared truth and shared understanding. This demands empathy, curiosity and the discipline to avoid sensationalism and divisiveness.
Our guiding principle is to serve the broad middle, while ensuring we continue to hear and reflect minority perspectives. This is how we remain a truly national publication – one that speaks to, and for, all.
Of course, scepticism about the media is not only inevitable, it is healthy. A discerning, well-informed society must question and challenge. We welcome this. Trust must be earned, and re-earned, every day.
We are realistic about the road ahead. The competition for attention is fierce, and the pace of change is unrelenting. But we are optimistic.
At The Straits Times, we continue to uphold the core values of journalism – the pursuit of truth and the responsibility to serve the public good.
Our future lies in being more than just a source of information. We aim to be an indispensable partner in Singapore’s journey – a trusted guide, a catalyst for dialogue and a force for unity.
This is our commitment. And we hope you’ll continue to write the Singapore story with us.
ST180 EVENT PHOTOS
(From left) Editor-in-chief of SPH Media’s English/Malay/Tamil Media Group Wong Wei Kong, Minister for Digital Development and Information Josephine Teo, Prime Minister Lawrence Wong, SPH Media chairman Khaw Boon Wan, SPH Media chief executive officer Chan Yeng Kit and Straits Times editor Jaime Ho launching The Straits Times’ new website and app at its 180th anniversary gala dinner at Jewel Changi Airport on July 11.
ST PHOTO: GAVIN FOO
The gala dinner was held on level 5 of Jewel Changi Airport under the building’s distinctive curved roof with Jewel’s rain vortex and the airport control tower as the backdrop.
ST PHOTO: JASON QUAH
The Straits Times’ editor, Jaime Ho arriving at the dinner with guest-of-honour, Prime Minister Lawrence Wong.
ST PHOTO: JASON QUAH
Prime Minister Lawrence Wong looking at a replica copy of the first issue of The Straits Times at ST’s 180th anniversary dinner. With him are SPH Media chairman Khaw Boon Wan (left) and ST editor Jaime Ho.
ST PHOTO: JASON QUAH
The Straits Times editor Jaime Ho delivering his speech at the gala dinner to commemorate the news organisation’s 180th anniversary.
ST PHOTO: JASON QUAH
Guest-of-honour, PM Lawrence Wong giving his speech where he made three suggestions on how ST can stay relevant in the new media environment: Build on its strengths as a trusted anchor for Singaporeans, keep quality at the core and speak to the world with a Singaporean voice.
ST PHOTO: JASON QUAH
ChildAid concert alumni Anastasha Suchin (far left) and Amni Musfirah (centre) performing at the gala dinner.
ST PHOTO: JASON QUAH
Amni Musfirah singing a second song during the dinner.
ST PHOTO: JASON QUAH
PM Wong meeting ST’s Singaporean of the Year recipients (from second left) Angie Chew, Mrs May Schooling, Madam Noriza A Mansor, Professor Leo Yee Sin (partially hidden), and Anson Ng at the gala dinner.
ST PHOTO: KEVIN LIM
PM Wong chatting with former editor-in-chief of SPH Media’s English/Malay/Tamil Media Group, Cheong Yip Seng (second from left) and Leader of the Opposition Pritam Singh at the gala dinner.
ST PHOTO: JASON QUAH
A replica of the first copy of The Straits Times was given to each of the 200 guests.
ST PHOTO: JASON QUAH
A sweet ending to the dinner with a trio dessert of (from left) teh-o poached pear shooter, lychee bandung swiss roll and cendol petit gateau.
ST PHOTO: JASON QUAH
Visitors at an interactive section of the ST180 exhibition at South Gateway Garden in Jewel Changi Airport on July 12. This particular screen features the front pages of ST since its first issue on July 15, 1845.
ST PHOTO: JASON QUAH
Minister for Digital Development and Information Josephine Teo, accompanied by ST features editor Wong Kim Hoh (left) and ST editor Jaime Ho, touring the Heartbeats And Headlines:180 Years Of Telling The Singapore Story exhibition at Jewel Changi Airport on July 11.
ST PHOTO: JASON QUAH
Prime Minister Lawrence Wong and Minister for Digital Development and Information JosephineTeo snapping a picture with The Straits Times School Pocket Money Fund beneficiaries Aniq Anaqi Mohamed Fareez (centre),12, and (back row, from left) Ezra Sim,16, Aina Adrianna Mohamed Fareez,11, Hannah Lim,13, and Nadhilah Mansoor and Ruth Sim, both 14, at The Straits Times’180th anniversary gala dinner.
ST PHOTO: GAVIN FOO
A chronicle of Singapore's biggest milestones and quietest moments
From front-page politics to everyday lives, The Straits Times has shaped the country's collective memory since 1845. Telling The Singapore Story: 180 Years Of The Straits Times celebrates the stories, people and purpose that have made us a part of your life.
ST180 Exhibition - Heartbeats and Headlines: 180 Years of Telling the Singapore Story
From July 12
Catch 180 Years Of Journalism: The Singapore Journey, a travelling exhibition that chronicles the evolution of journalism in Singapore and highlights its pivotal role in nation-building over the past 60 years.
Journey through time to explore the transformation of the media landscape, from the early print era to the modern digital age, and learn about milestones in news reporting and media innovation.
The exhibition will travel to three different locations across Singapore: Jewel Changi Airport, Westgate and Raffles City from July 12 to August 17.
Conversations with The Straits Times
Through a series of small-scale live dialogues and Q&A sessions, ST editor Jaime Ho as well as some editors and correspondents will shed light on our editorial processes. We will also hear from the audience and take their feedback and perspectives into consideration.
These sessions aim to bring ST and its audiences closer, by offering readers a platform to engage with the newsroom directly.
ST Podcasts Live
A unique opportunity to experience a live podcast recording and Q&A session with the panellists. Audiences can probe deeper into the podcasts’ topics, ask questions and interact with the hosts and guest speakers.
What’s The News?
It is school versus school in this exciting programme for youth aged 15 to 19, who will duke it out in fast-paced quiz rounds and games that are all about current affairs. Participants will be tested on their knowledge of a wide range of topics, from global news and politics to science and technology.
Behind every morning kopi ritual, every stroll through the heartlands and every festive gathering lies a story that connects us as Singaporeans.
To mark ST’s 180th anniversary, we have launched Your Singapore Story – a special series that celebrates the lives, memories and dreams that define us as a people.
Discover new stories as this series unfolds.
ST180 Exhibition: Keeping 6 million people safe every day
Singapore’s safety does not happen by chance.
Behind every peaceful night, every secure transaction and every moment of normalcy, the Home Team is operating - anticipating threats before they emerge, responding to crises in seconds, and building digital fortresses around our daily lives.
Discover how innovation and teamwork keep the nation safe around the clock.
ST180 Exhibition: How S'pore built one of the world's most connected cities
Learn how Singapore's journey to becoming a Smart Nation started with the telegraph line in 1879.
Explore the evolution of our connectivity infrastructure and how it powers the daily conveniences we depend on today, shaping the future of communication, business and everyday life.
ST Podcasts Liverecording of Green Pulse, talking about Heat Stress & Us - how people cope outdoors (particularly migrant workers)? Panellists (from left) Jason Kai Wei Lee, NUS from Heat Resilience Centre, NUS Dept of Physiology; Jaime Lim, Director, Major Hazards Department and the OSH Specialists Department; Audrey Tan, Assistant News Editor and David Fogarty, Deputy Foreign Editor.
ST PHOTO: ARIFFIN JAMAR
Discussing Human Wildlife Conflict?, with panellists (from left) Kalaivanan (Kalai) Balakrishnan, Co- CEO, Animal Concerns Research & Education Society(Acres); Jasvic Lye, Campaign Manager, Our Wild Neighbours ;Ang Qing, Correspondent; and Shabana Begum d/o Nazeer, Correspondent.
ST PHOTO: ARIFFIN JAMAR
The event, attended by about 95 people, was hosted by Kiss92 radio presenter Juliana Yeow.
ST PHOTO: ARIFFIN JAMAR
A member of the audience asking her question to the Green Pulse panel during the Q&A segment.
ST PHOTO: ARIFFIN JAMAR
(From Left) Mr Jeremy Au Yong, The Straits Times associate editor, Newsroom Strategy, Ms Kang Wan Chern, The Straits Times editor, Business, Mr Jamie Ho, The Straits Times editor, Mr Ang Yuit, Association of Small & Medium Enterprises president, and Mr Lim Say Heng, The Straits Times assistant editor, ST Now, engaging with attendees during the Conversations with The Straits Times, in partnership with Association of Small & Medium Enterprises (ASME), at the Great Room Centennial Tower on July 29, 2025.
ST PHOTO: BRIAN TEO
Mr Jamie Ho, The Straits Times editor (left) and Mr Ang Yuit, Association of Small & Medium Enterprises president.
ST PHOTO: BRIAN TEO
Mr Jeremy Au Yong (centre), The Straits Times associate editor, Newsroom Strategy, with his breakout group.
ST PHOTO: BRIAN TEO
Emcee Shawrick Hu of Kiss 92’s Owls, at the recording of ST Podcasts Live.
ST PHOTO: DESMOND WEE
Mr Noel Png, Telecommunications System Engineer, ST Engineering (left) ; Ms Parameswari Seenivasan, Senior career coach, Workforce Singapore (centre) and Tay Hong Yi, Headstart on Record Host.
ST PHOTO: DESMOND WEE
Attendees at the third edition of ST Podcasts Live which includes two podcast recordings.
ST PHOTO: DESMOND WEE
An attendee checking out the Workforce Singapore booth at the event.
ST PHOTO: DESMOND WEE
Award-winning Singaporean Music Director & Music Producer Evan Low was also at the third edition of ST Podcasts Live. He was there to guest at the live recording of Music Lab.
ST PHOTO: DESMOND WEE
The Straits Times editor Jaime Ho (centre) interacts with participants at the third edition of Conversations with The Straits Times - its first public session for young professionals - held at PPP Coffee, New Bahru, on May 27, 2025.
ST PHOTO: AZMI ATHNI
Singapore Editor at The Straits Times Zakir Hussain (third from right) interacting with participants during the breakout session at the third edition of Conversations with The Straits Times.
ST PHOTO: AZMI ATHNI
The Straits Times assistant news editor Danson Cheong (standing, second left) and assistant life editor Clara Lock (standing, third left) led small group conversations with ST readers.
ST PHOTO: AZMI ATHNI
The Straits Times assistant news editor Audrey Tan (third right) and editor of newsroom integration Elizabeth Khor (second right).
ST PHOTO: AZMI ATHNI
The third edition of Conversations with The Straits Times - its first public session for young professionals - held at PPP Coffee, New Bahru.
ST PHOTO: AZMI ATHNI
Guests signed up for Headstart the free weekly e-newsletter by The Straits Times.
ST PHOTO: AZMI ATHNI
The audience at the second edition of ST Podcasts Live was held at the Projector at Golden Mile Tower, on April 15.
ST PHOTO: JASPER YU
Guests Delane Lim (left) Executive Director, Character & Leadership Academy, and Lee Yi Ping (IMH) (middle), with host Joyce Teo at the recording of Health Check. The topic was Navigating mental health, work and relationships, and will be released on May 7.
ST PHOTO: JASPER YU
At the recording of In Your Opinion at ST Podcasts Live on April 15, host Lynda Hong (left) discussed Game at life - must success always be about good grades and jobs? With Adella Yeo Rae-Nyse, 27, an account executive (middle), and Nabill Shukry, 27. The podcast is In partnership with National Youth Council (NYC), and is out from April 23.
ST PHOTO: JASPER YU
Quiz host Rishi Budhrani interacting with students participating in the preliminary round of The Straits Times’ quiz competition What’s The News, at St Gabriel’s Secondary School, on April 15.
ST PHOTO: LIM YAOHUI
The Straits Times editor Jaime Ho interacting with students participating in the first session of the preliminary round of The Straits Times’ quiz game show, What’s The News, at St Gabriel’s Secondary School on April 15.
ST PHOTO: LIM YAOHUI
Participating students said they found the quiz entertaining and engaging. The quiz, called What’s The News?, is organised by ST as part of its 180th anniversary outreach, and is supported by the Ministry of Education.
ST PHOTO: LIM YAOHUI
ST editor Jaime Ho taking a wefie with a group of St Joseph’s Institution students who attended the March 5 instalment of Conversations with The Straits Times. The dialogue, which lasted for about an hour, is part of a year-long series that aims to facilitate candid discussions between the ST editorial team and readers.
ST PHOTO: LIM YAOHUI
ST social media senior audience growth specialist Farzanah Friday interacting with JC2 students from Temasek Junior College and St Joseph's Institution who were present at the second Conversations with The Straits Times session that is part of ST’s 180-year celebrations.
ST PHOTO: LIM YAOHUI
There was laughter all around as ST schools editor Serene Luo chatted with students from Temasek Junior College and St Andrew's Junior College at the Conversations with The Straits Times event at Temasek Junior College.
ST PHOTO: LIM YAOHUI
Around 520 students from nine junior colleges were present at Conversations with The Straits Times on March 5. During the discussion, students raised questions on a range of topics from decisions on which stories to cover, to sensationalism in news, and the public perception of ST.
ST PHOTO: LIM YAOHUI
Singapore Land Authority chief executive Colin Low (right) with Mr Ng Wee Liang, who creates content on Singapore heritage, arts and culture, at the recording of the inaugural episode of ST Podcasts Live at The Foundry on Feb 12.
PHOTO: THE STRAITS TIMES
(From left) Event host and Money FM 89.3 producer-presenter Dan Koh, The Usual Place host Natasha Zachariah, Singapore Land Authority CEO Colin Low and content creator Ng Wee Liang taking a wefie with the audience.
ST PHOTO: KEVIN LIM
A pre-event activity took place during the first episode of ST Podcasts Live.
PHOTO: THE STRAITS TIMES
(From right) In Your Opinion podcast co-hosts Lynda Hong and Christie Chiu with Ms Amanda Soon, programme executive at Fei Yue Community Services, and Mr Johnson Soh, founder of SanCare Asia, trying out the therapeutic CRDL device during the Feb 12 ST Podcasts Live event held in partnership with Singapore Land Authority.
ST PHOTO: KEVIN LIM
(From right) ST assistant podcast editor Lynda Hong and reporter Christie Chiu hosting a discussion on how music moves the mind and its transformative impact on dementia care with Ms Amanda Soon of Fei Yue Community Services and Mr Johnson Soh of eldercare company SanCare Asia at The Foundry.
PHOTO: THE STRAITS TIMES
Leaders of non-profit and impact organisations visiting One FM 91.3 radio station during a tour of SPH Media on Jan 14.
ST PHOTO: GIN TAY
The first of a year-long series of engagements called Conversations with The Straits Times was conducted on Jan 14 with leaders of non-profit and impact organisations. ST editor Jaime Ho (second from right) was speaking at the discussion held in SPH Media’s Studio +65.
ST PHOTO: GIN TAY
Attendees at the Jan 14 Conversations with The Straits Times session asked a range of questions about the role of journalism, media coverage, as well as how the English daily stays updated with changes in the social service sector and keeps up with the use of certain terminologies in its news coverage.
ST PHOTO: GIN TAY
Conversations with The Straits Times aims to bring ST and its audiences closer, by offering readers a platform to engage with the newsroom directly. (From left) Associate editor Jeremy Au Yong, senior correspondent Theresa Tan, editor Jaime Ho and assistant news editor Audrey Tan hosted the Jan 14 inaugural session.
ST PHOTO: GIN TAY
ST Now editor Lee Yulin (with a microphone) giving leaders of non-profit and impact organisations a tour of the ST newsroom on Jan 14.
ST PHOTO: GIN TAY
STILL MAKING NEWS
The Straits Times’ first edition was launched on July 15, 1845, as an eight-page weekly read by a few hundred people. Today, it is a multimedia news organisation with more than a million readers. Here are some highlights of its 180-year-old journey.
1845
Armenian merchant Marterus Thaddeus Apcar orders a printing press from England but goes bankrupt before it arrives. Catchick Moses (above), another Armenian, buys the press and hires Englishman Robert Carr Woods as editor. They launch The Straits Times and Singapore Journal of Commerce on July 15. The paper appears every Tuesday morning with eight pages of business notices, advertisements and general updates. It sells for 16 Spanish dollars a year or one Java rupee per copy. After four months, it starts publishing twice a week. It operates from a shophouse in Commercial Square, now Raffles Place.
1846
Catchick Moses puts the paper up for sale but there are no buyers. Editor Woods takes over the press.
1858
The paper becomes an afternoon daily and is renamed Singapore Daily Times. It moves to new premises in Battery Road.
1870
With the Suez Canal opening in 1869 and the first ocean telegraph cable laid between Bombay and Britain, global communication speeds up. By 1870, submarine cables reach Singapore via India and Penang. The paper starts subscribing to Reuters for faster international news.
1883
The paper’s name – Singapore Daily Times from 1858 – reverts to The Straits Times.
1897
Three colour picture supplements – the first by a Malayan newspaper – are published to wide acclaim. They cost $12,000 and make a profit of over $3,000.
1900
Ending the era of proprietoreditors, the paper is incorporated as a private limited company with a capital of $100,000. It is called The Straits Times Press.
1903
The paper moves its office and printing plant to Cecil Street.
1908
Alexander William Still becomes editor (1908-1926). His fearless editorials bring libel suits but also boost circulation and ad revenue.
1914
World War I breaks out. The Straits Times raises money and recruits volunteers for forces overseas.
1928
George William Seabridge, former news editor of The Statesman (Calcutta), takes over as editor (1928-1946). He increases pages and adds pictures and cartoons, launches a Sunday paper and introduces The Straits Times Annual. The paper also buys Malaya’s first rotary press (1931) and opens offices in London and Kuala Lumpur.
1931
The Great Depression crashes rubber and tin prices, halting the economy. The Straits Times encourages expansion over cutbacks and sets the example by buying Morris Minor vans for delivery, investing in printing equipment and building a new office. The Sunday Times launches with 16 pages of news, features, a women’s page and book reviews.
1942
Singapore falls to the Japanese on Feb 15 and is renamed Syonan (Light of the South). The paper ceases publication. The Japanese run The Syonan Times from The Straits Times’ compound. The paper is later renamed The Syonan Shimbun.
1945
World War II ends in September. On Cheong Yip Seng A Straits Times newspaper delivery van in 1951. 1963 Sept 7, The Straits Times publishes its first post-war issue with the headline: “Singapore is British again! Our day of liberation!” From then on, the front page mixes news with ads and switches to morning publication. Coverage soon reflects rising Asian nationalism and anti-colonial sentiments.
1950
The Straits Times becomes a public limited company and increases the number of shareholders as well as capital to finance expansion.
1956
Leslie Hoffman becomes the paper’s first Asian editor-inchief.
1958
On April 3, The Straits Times begins operating from Times House, built on land acquired at the junction of Kim Seng and River Valley roads. It is fully air-conditioned and has editorial and printing wings.
1959
The Straits Times moves its headquarters from Singapore to Robson House in Pudu Road in Kuala Lumpur, citing its central location and growing readership in Malaya, which had gained independence in 1957. Kuala Lumpur is seen as more stable and business-friendly than Singapore, which faces labour unrest and strikes.
Tensions between the newspaper and the People’s Action Party also in uence the move, with PAP leader Lee Kuan Yew accusing The Straits Times of inaccurate reporting and representing British interests.
On May 18, in the lead-up to Singapore’s first fully elected Legislative Assembly on May 30, he warns that “any newspaper that tries to sour up or strain relations between the Federation and Singapore after May 30 will go in for subversion”.
Leslie Hoffman takes the matter to the International Press Institute in West Berlin, which investigates and concludes both sides had overreacted.
Most editorial staff, including Hoffman, move to KL while a small team remains in Times House under deputy editor Wee Kim Wee, a former employee who had left to join the United Press International agency but was invited to return. The paper is printed in both Singapore and Kuala Lumpur.
1963
The Federation of Malaysia forms on Sept 16, including Singapore. The paper supports the PAP’s Sept 21 election win and the merger, praising its stance against the communists.
1965
Singapore separates from Malaysia on Aug 9, becoming independent.
1966
The paper plays a key role ending Indonesia’s Konfrontasi policy. On May 2, deputy editor Wee Kim Wee (below) secures an exclusive interview with Lieutenant-General Suharto, who signals a desire to end hostilities. The scoop helps restore diplomatic ties and leads to joint anti-communist efforts. In September, 60 Straits Times Press staff strike over pay and conditions, prompted by salary cuts to union officials. After five days, management agrees to higher wages and back pay, settling the strike.
1971
From Dec 23, about 900 journalists and printers (below) strike over small bonus packages, halting publication for seven days. The strike ends when management agrees to pay a 2½-month bonus.
1972
The Straits Times Press, still headquartered in KL, splits its Malaysian and Singapore operations. This results in the setting up of Straits Times Press (Singapore) and the New Straits Times company in Malaysia in 1973. T.S. Khoo (below), known as “The Fastest Pen In The East” for his design skills, becomes group editor of The Straits Times in Singapore.
1973
Straits Times Press (Singapore) moves its HQ from KL to Singapore. New Straits Times is a separate Malaysian-owned entity. Aerial view of Times House (below) in 1978.
1975
The Newspaper and Printing Presses Act takes effect in Singapore to ensure local control of the press. It mandates a dual-share structure, with special management shares held only by government-approved parties. The Straits Times Press (1975) Ltd is established to manage Singapore’s publishing business.
1977
In response to government criticism, The Straits Times sets editorial policies to support nation-building, launches its School of Journalism, and prepares to open its first overseas bureau in Bangkok, which is established in 1980.
1978
Peter H. L. Lim (below) succeeds T.S. Khoo as editor-in-chief of Times Organisation and group editor of The Straits Times.
1979
Cheong Yip Seng becomes Straits Times editor.
1982
Up till the early 1980s, the PAP government continues to be wary of The Straits Times and its news coverage. In 1982, senior civil servant S R Nathan (below) becomes executive chairman of The Straits Times Press, bridging media-government gaps and supporting newsroom standards. He leaves to become High Commissioner to Malaysia in 1988.
1984
Singapore Press Holdings (SPH) is formed by merging Singapore News and Publications, The Straits Times Press (1975), Times Publishing and Singapore Newspaper Services. Shareholders of the various companies are issued with shares in SPH, which becomes a public company on Aug 4.
1987
Leslie Fong (below) succeeds Cheong Yip Seng as editor. Cheong succeeds Peter Lim as editor-in-chief and retires in that role in 2006.
1995
The Straits Times marks its 150th anniversary. It launches its digital presence with the AsiaOne website in June. In December, The Straits Times Interactive website debuts.
1998
The Straits Times switches to full-colour printing.
2000
The Straits Times School Pocket Money Fund launches on Oct 1, supporting children from lower-income families with school expenses.
SPH ventures into broadcasting with SPH MediaWorks. The paper launches Straits Times TV News the following year, later rebranding as Channel i News in 2003. TV operations cease in 2004.
2001
The inaugural Life! Theatre Awards are held, organised by Life!, the paper’s arts and entertainment section, to recognise theatre contributions in Singapore.
2002
The Straits Times and some other publications move from Times House to News Centre in Toa Payoh.
Han Fook Kwang (below) succeeds Leslie Fong as editor.
2005
The Straits Times launches two weekly school magazines, IN and Little Red Dot.
2006
Citizen journalism website Stomp (Straits Times Online Mobile Print) is launched, led by deputy editor Felix Soh. It gets 600,000 visits in its first week.
2007
Patrick Daniel (below) succeeds Cheong Yip Seng as editor-in-chief of the English/ Malay/Tamil Media (EMTM) group.
2008
RazorTV, The Straits Times’ online video news and lifestyle channel, is launched.
2009
The Straits Times launches its iPhone app and its Twitter account.
2011
The Straits Times adopts a print-plus-digital pricing strategy amid declining print readership. It grows its presence on YouTube and launches its iPad app.
2012
Warren Fernandez (below) succeeds Han Fook Kwang as editor. In 2016, he is also named editor-in-chief of EMTM, succeeding Patrick Daniel. A digital integration team is formed to better coordinate print and online news. The Straits Times goes on Instagram (2014) and LinkedIn (2015). Improvements are made to the app and data analytics is introduced.
2013
The inaugural Straits Times Run in the Park takes place at Punggol Waterway. The annual runs, to build community ties, are held at various locations till 2019. A virtual run is organised in 2020 because of the pandemic.
2014
The Straits Times Star (Straits Times Appreciates Readers) e-books app is launched for iPad and Android tablets and smartphones. It houses e-publications like a monthly Life magazine and e-books.
2015
The Singaporean of the Year award is launched to honour those who make a difference to society.
2018
Podcasts are launched, starting with health, business and sports.
2020
As the Covid-19 pandemic unfolds, The Straits Times provides a critical source of timely, verified information across its print and digital platforms.
2021
SPH, which had posted its first-ever net loss in 2020, announces in May that it plans to restructure its media business as a not-for-profit entity.
Shareholders approve the spin-off in September. The SPH Media Trust starts operations on Dec 1 under the new structure. The non-media assets, primarily property, are acquired by a consortium led by businessman Ong Beng Seng.
2022
In February, then Minister for Communications and Information Josephine Teo tells Parliament that SPH Media Trust will get government funding of up to $180 million annually over the next five years.
On Oct 26, Business Times editor Wong Wei Kong (below, left) succeeds Warren Fernandez as editor-in-chief of the EMTM group.
Jaime Ho (below, right), the former CNA Digital chief editor, is named Straits Times editor.
2023
The paper powers through its digital transformation with, among other things, a new STNow desk, a strategy team, digital initiatives such as social videos and more newsroom sharings.
2025
The Straits Times celebrates its 180th anniversary on July 15. Its celebrations include a What’s The News? inter-school quiz with 6,000 participants across 50 schools, held in April and May.
The Straits Times was launched on July 15, 1845, with a subsidiary title: The Singapore Journal of Commerce.
It was aimed squarely at the "mercantile community", said a notice on the front page. Another notice promised advertising rates "on liberal terms" and urged advertisers to submit their copy by noon the previous day of publication.
Up until World War II, the front page was dominated by advertisements. The rest of the paper was packed with more ads, shipping schedules, stock market updates and classifieds.
Take July 15, 1941. The entire front page featured 11 ads. Among them, Mien Chong Tailoring in Coleman Street offered American sharkskin fabric in various colours; Robinson & Co in Raflles Place touted the Humber, "the aristocrat of bicyles"; a merchant announced the arrival of more stocks of "Monte Carlo" hand-made Dutch cigars "obtainable everywhere" at 11 cents each.
After the war, news took centre stage on the front page and inside, driven by readers' demand for urgent news and stiff competition from radio and later television. The postwar period also saw a rise in journalism as a profession, and advances in printing and layout design.
But print advertisements continued -- and continue -- to be a vivid window into the evolving history of commerce and daily life of a society.
They tell us what people in Singapore valued, consumed and aspired to across generations. in a way that a fleeting digital ad does.
