Southeast Asian countries all have their own media to broadcasts local, regional and international news. Be they online version of newspapers or television, or purely web contents providers, here is a selection of the 15 best media to get informed from various Southeast Asian national perspectives.
As the best websites in terms of quality of information and presentation usually come from the most advanced countries, and the ones that are more proficient in English, it is no surprise to find in the top 15 websites from Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, the Philippines, Indonesia and Vietnam. After all, these 6 countries make up for 95% of total ASEAN GDP, as you can see in these infographics.
General news in English from Southeast Asia
The 15 top general news websites from Southeast Asia are ordered primarily by their home country and then by their relative popularity on social media. They are some of the greatest sources of information in English in Southeast Asia, from Southeast Asia. Don’t hesitate to follow them to get informed and learn more on the world, the region and each country from a local perspective.
Singapore
Channel NewsAsia
Breaking news from the TV channel for Singapore and AsiaPac.
Website: Channel NewsAsia
Facebook: ChannelNewsAsiaSingapore
Youtube: ChannelNewsAsia
The Straits Times
Breaking news from Singapore’s most widely-read newspaper.
Website: The Straits Times
Facebook: TheStraitsTimes
Today Online
Local and international news from Singapore’s most popular compact newspaper.
Website: Today Online
Facebook: TodayOnline
Asia One
Information mall which serves users’ news, business and lifestyle needs.
Website: Asia One
Facebook: sphasiaone
Malaysia
The Star Online
News updates from Malaysia’s top English-language daily and website.
Website: The Star Online
Facebook: TheStarOnline
New Straits Times Online
Latest and updated news reaching out to 4.5 million readers daily.
Website: New Straits Times Online
Facebook: nstonline
The Malaysian Insider
News covering issues of the day, politics, business, lifestyle, sports and entertainment.
Website: The Malaysian Insider
Facebook: themalaysianinsider
Thailand
Bangkok Post
Breaking news from Thailand’s number one English-language news media.
Website: Bangkok Post
Facebook: bangkokpost
The Nation
Leading English language newspaper and new media content provider.
Website: The Nation
Facebook: NationNews
Philippines
Rappler
Uncompromised social news to inspire smart conversation and a thirst for change.
Website: Rappler
Facebook: rapplerdotcom
Inquirer.net
Leading news website covering both local and international news.
Website: Inquirer.net
Facebook: inquirerdotnet
Philstar
Online arm of the STAR Group of publications for the Filipino global community.
Website: Philstar
Facebook: philstarnews
Indonesia
Jakarta Post
Bold and independant English news from Indonesia and the world.
Website: Jakarta Post
Facebook: jakpost
Jakarta Globe
English news covering from the leading Indonesian news media BeritaSatu.
Website: Jakarta Globe
Facebook: thejakartaglobe
Vietnam
VnExpress International
News and analysis in English from Vietnam’s most read newspaper.
Website: VnExpress International
Facebook: VnExpressInternational
Here are the top 15 general news websites from Southeast Asia. What do you think of them? Did we miss some other sources? Leave your comments!
Dear editor,
You missed us! We are the English publication of Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper, the largest newspaper by circulation in Vietnam.
Please check it out, http://www.tuoitrenews.vn
Our social channels: https://www.facebook.com/tuoitrenews / https://twitter.com/tuoitrenewsvn
Thank and best regards,
Son
Hi Son,
The selection was made according to the following criteria:
-quality of information
-quality of design and user experience
-web domain authority
-number of social media followers
Sorry that Tuoi Tre (as well as many other great websites) had to be left aside so as to be able to produce a short list.
Thank you however for your comment, which do you some justice as visitors will be able to find Tuoi Tre from there. 🙂
Hi ASEAN Up,
Thank you for your reply, and for letting me know of your set of criteria. Yes, we also hope that more people will know of us from the comment 🙂
Dear Sir/Madam:
It would appear that impartial & independents news was not part of your selection criteria judging by the number of Singaporean and Malaysian media entities in your list of 15 best news sources. If quality, independent journalism was part of the selection process, I fail to see how you might have neglected to include two of Southeast Asia’s great (if not the greatest) newspapers: The Cambodia Daily, and the Phnom Penh Post.
Sincerely,
Kevin Doyle
(Former editor-in-chief, The Cambodia Daily)
Hi Kevin,
The list includes a few of the most popular news websites of Southeast Asia, but in order to make a “short” list many great news sites have been left aside.
Given the advance of Singapore and Malaysia on Internet, it is only fair that more Singaporean and Malaysian websites are represented here.
Nevertheless, The Cambodia Daily and the Phnom Penh Post will have hopefully had some justice to their name thanks to your comment.
Regards,
Florian
What criteria were used to order the top 15 general news websites from Southeast Asia, and how does their arrangement reflect both their home country and relative popularity on social media? Furthermore, what makes these websites significant sources of information in English for the region, and how do they contribute to providing a local perspective on global, regional, and individual country-related news?