Position Bernama As National Source of Trust, Truth – Abdul Halim

KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 5 (Bernama) -- The Malaysian National News Agency (Bernama) should be positioned as a national institution of trust and a national source of truth to strengthen the country’s communication ecosystem and address the challenges of misinformation and digital manipulation.

Communications Ministry secretary-general Datuk Abdul Halim Hamzah said Bernama is not only a credible national media institution but also plays a vital role in delivering verified, ethical and balanced information to the public and the international community.

He said in an era shaped by technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), deepfakes and disinformation, and amid an increasingly complex communications landscape, Bernama’s role as a trusted news source is becoming ever more critical.

“This news agency also serves as a custodian of the national narrative at the global level and as a primary platform for telling Malaysia’s story to the world through explanation, not propaganda,” he said in his speech during a visit to Wisma Bernama here today.

Abdul Halim arrived at the Wisma Bernama lobby at 3.15 pm and was received by Bernama chairman Datuk Seri Wong Chun Wai, chief executive officer Datin Paduka Nur-ul Afida Kamaludin, editor-in-chief Arul Rajoo Durar Raj, deputy editor-in-chief (News Service) Mohd Shukri Ishak, acting deputy editor-in-chief (Economic News Service) Harlina Samson and the agency’s senior management team.

Also present was Communications Ministry senior undersecretary (Management) Datuk Aminurrahim Mohamed.

Meanwhile, in efforts to further strengthen Bernama’s role as a trusted news source, Abdul Halim proposed enhancing the agency’s authoritative fact-checking function and introducing a Bernama trust mark for verified content.

In his speech, he described Bernama as the backbone of the country’s media ecosystem and said the agency also plays a role in strengthening media literacy and safeguarding information democracy.

“Bernama has an increasingly critical public role, including as a strategic partner to the government in addressing inaccurate information, as well as producing educational content on how to identify false information and organising literacy programmes for the public.

“In the long term, Bernama must remain an institution that nurtures talent and upholds journalistic ethics, producing journalists who understand technology, data, policy and humanity, while setting the benchmark for media ethics in the country,” he said.

He also expressed appreciation for Bernama’s continued efforts to strengthen quality journalism, leverage digital technology and ensure the national narrative is conveyed accurately and responsibly.

“This is in line with the MADANI Government’s aspirations, which emphasise trust, integrity and transparency in the dissemination of information,” he said.

-- BERNAMA