Bernama Ready To Help Antara Tackle False News, Information - Nur-ul Afida

JAKARTA, Feb 10 (Bernama) -- The Malaysian National News Agency (Bernama) is ready to assist Indonesia’s news agency, Antara, in tackling false news and information through a fact-checking partnership.

Bernama chief executive officer, Datin Paduka Nur-ul Afida Kamaludin, said the agency welcomed Antara’s interest in Bernama’s fact-checking platform, MyCheck.My, launched in 2022, aims to check false news and content in Malaysia.

“Alhamdulillah, we started fact-checking through the MyCheck unit four years ago.

“When Antara showed interest in collaborating, we welcomed it and are ready to share our knowledge and resources,” she told reporters after leading a Bernama delegation on a courtesy visit to Antara’s director-general, Benny Siga Butarbutar, at the agency’s headquarters today.

Also present were Bernama’s editor-in-chief Arul Rajoo Durar Raj, deputy editor-in-chief (News Services) Mohd Shukri Ishak, and Antara’s chief editor Virghandi Prayudantoro.

MyCheck.My is an independent fact-checking platform tackling false information in Malaysia, focusing on issues affecting daily life and steering clear of politics or individual targets.

Nur-ul Afida said the two-hour meeting also saw both parties agree to revive collaboration programmes that had been paused during the COVID-19 pandemic, including Salam dari Jakarta and Salam dari Kuala Lumpur.

“I see this as a chance for Bernama and Antara to share news, particularly stories about the people of both countries, to help us gain a better understanding of each nation’s population. This is one of the more exciting programmes,” she said.

Earlier, the Bernama delegation toured the Antara Heritage Centre, which has served as the agency’s office since 1937 and now houses its editorial department, a journalism education centre, and a museum.

“I found it fascinating that this heritage building has been preserved, serving both as a reference centre and a source of pride for the Indonesian people.

“This is something Antara can be proud of, preserving its heritage while also introducing the news agency to the Indonesian public,” said Nur-ul Afida.

Meanwhile, Benny hoped the Bernama-Antara partnership could be strengthened strategically, including on commercial fronts, to meet today’s media challenges.

-- BERNAMA