Bernama leading information provider 55 years on

KUALA LUMPUR, May 19 (Bernama) -- The Malaysian National News Agency (Bernama) will continue to be the main provider of fact-based information and fast news to educate the public, and in the process create a more prosperous Malaysia, acting chief executive officer Roslan Ariffin said. 

Ahead of its 55th anniversary tomorrow, Roslan said Bernama must outline its vision to continue its role as a news agency that helps society, and the nation specifically, combat fake news. 

“We are aware that in present times, there is a lot of fake news circulating, so our vision now is to overcome this challenge, where we are able to discern between genuine and fake news.

“In Bernama, we strive to be the best news agency there is in providing facts, accurate and fast news to the people,” he said in conjunction with Bernama’s 55th-anniversary celebration.  

Set up by an Act of Parliament on April 6, 1967, before officially launched on Aug 30 the same year in conjunction with the nation’s 10th Independence Day celebrations, Bernama commenced operations on May 20, 1968. 

Speaking on new reporting challenges, Roslan said Bernama has always maintained its brand as a trusted news agency. 

With half of its workforce in the below 40 age group to shoulder Bernama's future challenges, Roslan said the news agency kept pace with the latest technologies to disseminate information to the people, besides helping convey messages and aspirations of the government. 

Sharing his more than 30 years of experience as a journalist, Roslan said those who joined the profession should always find opportunities to improve their knowledge as they shape themselves to become better journalists.

“First and foremost, to be a journalist is to have common sense as there will be many challenges to overcome. From my own experience, we will require a strong mind to solve problems and one job requirement is to think and find the best solutions for society. 

“… but with the challenges faced today, we require added elements, and the main one is knowledge as with knowledge we can shape ourselves to become excellent journalists. To disseminate facts and information, we must be knowledgeable individuals,” he said. 

-- BERNAMA