The archive collection unites both politics and people and features footage from 1930 to the present day. As part of this unique project ITN Source prioritised the digitisation of rare and previously unseen footage about Singapore to make it more readily accessible for its clients. As such, the collection contains footage not previously seen since its original broadcast. The collection can be viewed on ITN’s Source’s Singapore Independence page.

The Independence of Singapore Agreement 1965, between the Government of Malaysia and Singapore, granted independence to Singapore with effect from 7 August 1965.

Highlights from the archive track this fascinating nation’s key moments which include footage showing 1951 celebrations when Singapore first became a city. A televised interview from 1965 shows then Prime Minister Lee Kuan talking about the split from Singapore. More light-hearted archive gems include the mass weddings that took place at the Botanic Gardens in 2009 and footage of flying boats in Singapore in 1936.

Andy Williams, ITN Source’s Managing Director, said, “We’re delighted to be able to showcase this amazing footage demonstrating Singapore’s history in the 50th year of its independence. Asia continues to be a very important market for ITN Source and we are keen to expand our network of producers in the region.”

To further expand its service in Asia, ITN Source opened an office in Singapore in August 2014 to build closer relationships with clients and the creative industries in the region.

As part of ITN Source’s ongoing digitisation programme, footage from across Asia is being prioritised for selection. ITN Source has over 2.8 million archive news clips, programmes and film titles available online, representing almost 500,000 hours of footage dating back to 1896.

The archive is digitising over 20 hours of new content every day, constantly uncovering new, rare and unseen material.