Four Languages, One Identity - Buletin Mutiara Remains Relevant In Digital Era

By R. Ratcharathan

GEORGE TOWN, June 8 (Bernama) -- In the digital era and with the rampant use of artificial intelligence (AI), Buletin Mutiara, the Penang government’s official media, remains a dominant force with a print run of 200,000 copies a month in four languages - Malay, English, Chinese and Tamil.

Buletin Mutiara chief editor Yap Lee Ying said the physical copy was still greatly needed in the branding process and it was undeniable that it had its own audience, even during the current digital era.

"This strategy is more towards the results of current studies. What we practise is that content or news in both mediums (print and online) need to be different, including in each language,” she said in an exclusive interview with Bernama recently.

Buletin Mutiara began as a print publication in June 2010, and has grown to having digital and social media platforms to deliver state government policies, initiatives and information to the public in the state.

Yap, who is also Penang government information division communications director, said that Buletin Mutiara not only focused on reporting on the state government, local authorities and state leadership, but also covers local and non-governmental organisations’ (NGO) programmes.

Constant monitoring and studies are conducted periodically through print, digital and social media to ensure that Buletin Mutiara can be accessed by the general public, she added.

"It’s our policy to carry local or community news as our main content in terms of creativity, unlike mainstream media. I can say that’s where our advantage lies,” she said, adding that the editorial board held strong to journalism ethics, prioritising the veracity of news and creativity in content they publish as each language publication has its own audience.

"The quality of writing also plays an important role in ensuring journalism ethics are maintained according to house style and our focus is to continue to brand Penang in line with Vision Penang 2030 set by the state government,” she said.

She also explained that mainstream media needs to pay attention to the change in reading patterns that focus on short reporting and attractive visuals as a long essay was no longer their preference.

On National Journalists’ Day (HAWANA) celebrated every May 29, Yap said it was a good approach to show appreciation to media practitioners, especially at the state level.

"In my opinion it should be expanded to involve NGOs, former journalists or photographers’ associations as well as media teams assigned to daily official duties.

"Being in the same field, it’s important we stick together to ensure that the journalism world remains relevant and plays a significant role in line with the development of current technology,” she said.

With the theme “Journalism in the New Era: Embracing AI, Safeguarding Ethics” the HAWANA 2025 main event will take place on June 14 at the World Trade Centre Kuala Lumpur (WTCKL), officiated by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

HAWANA, organised by the Communications Ministry and the Malaysian National News Agency (Bernama) as implementing agency, is aimed at celebrating the role and contributions of media practitioners in national development.

-- BERNAMA