Bernama: The Evolution of Malaysia's National News Agency
The landscape of Malaysian journalism was fundamentally reshaped by the establishment of Bernama, the national news agency. Born from a desire to promote national interests and foster international understanding, Bernama has evolved from a small cooperative effort into a sophisticated multimedia organization. Its journey reflects the broader technological and political shifts of Malaysia since the mid-20th century.
The Formation of a National Voice
The seeds of Bernama were sown on March 30, 1959, when the Malay Journalist Association passed a resolution urging the Federal Government to create a news agency. The goal was to advance national interests and improve the understanding between Malaya and other nations. By 1962, Mohamed Sopiee, the Director of Information Services, advocated for a cooperative-based national agency to ensure that local news was properly collected and disseminated globally.
On July 14, 1962, media practitioners agreed in principle to form a non-profit, independent organization. This effort was supported by Sadao Roy Otake of the Kyodo News Agency, who provided expertise in forming the agency. While initial hopes were to launch by August 1963, the formal process took several more years.
In August 1965, Deputy Prime Minister Abdul Razak Hussein officially revealed the name "Bernama" to the public. Following a proposal approved by the Cabinet in July 1965 and a thorough investigation by D.J. Dallas of Reuters (sent by UNESCO), the agency's structure was finalized. The Cabinet approved its establishment on December 22, 1966, planning for operations in both Malay and English.
The Bernama Act was passed by the Dewan Rakyat on March 8, 1967, ensuring the agency would be an independent corporate body rather than a government agency, focused on providing credible and accurate news without compromising national interests. Bernama was officially established under the Act of Parliament on April 6, 1967, and launched on August 30, 1967, officiated by Prime Minister Tunku Abdul Rahman, with Abdul Aziz Yeop serving as the first chairman.
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Early Operations and Expansion
Bernama officially commenced operations on May 20, 1968, starting with just 20 staff members in a four-room bungalow on Jalan Pekeliling, Kuala Lumpur. The government provided a launching grant of RM1.5 million, with RM500,000 allocated for initial spending. By June 1968, the agency had secured its first nine subscribers.
The 1970s and 80s marked a period of rapid growth and strategic partnerships. Bernama partnered with Indonesia's Antara news agency in 1971 and sought sole distribution rights for international agencies like Reuters and Associated Press in 1972. To expand its reach, Bernama opened its first regional office in Manila, Philippines, in 1979.
Technological Milestones
Bernama consistently adopted new technologies to maintain its edge. In 1984, it became the first news agency in Asia to incorporate an editorial computer. It also launched the Bernama AP-Dow Jones Telerate Service for financial news and the Bernama Newscan service, which delivered news via video terminals to banks and hotels.
The Shift Toward Commercialization
In July 1983, the government designated Bernama as the sole distributor of foreign news in Malaysia. This period saw several discussions regarding the agency's financial model. While there were attempts to privatize or corporatize the agency in 1983 and 1985, these plans were initially abandoned. However, in June 1990, Parliament passed amendments allowing Bernama to venture into business to ensure it became self-financed.
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Diversification and Modernization
Throughout the 1990s and early 2000s, Bernama diversified its services. It launched the "Information Edge" financial service in 1992 and opened a regional office in Hanoi, Vietnam, in 1993. In 1997, the government withdrew Bernama's monopoly on foreign news distribution to encourage a more open media environment.
The agency expanded into audio-visual reporting in September 1998 and launched an Arabic news service in 2002 to reach West Asia and Africa. It also played a pivotal role in the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) by planning the NAM News Agency in 2005.
Recent Developments and AI Integration
In recent years, Bernama has focused on digital transformation and strategic collaborations. This includes a 2009 MoU with the Malaysian Industry-Government Group for High Technology (MiGHT) and the 2014 launch of "Malaysia eBiz," a weekly business newsreel. In 2020, the agency introduced expert commentary columns: Tinta Minda (Malay) and Thoughts (English).
Looking toward the future, Bernama has been appointed as the official media coordinator for the 2025 ASEAN Summit. The agency is also embracing Artificial Intelligence (AI), with plans to expand AI courses for staff in February 2025. A notable milestone occurred on March 2, 2025, when Bernama debuted its first AI-generated azan video for Ramadan across all its platforms.
Key Facts
- Founded: Established April 6, 1967; launched August 30, 1967.
- First Chairman: Abdul Aziz Yeop.
- Pioneering Tech: First Asian news agency to use editorial computers (1984).
- Global Reach: Established regional offices in Manila and Hanoi; launched Arabic services in 2002.
- Current Role: Official media coordinator for the 2025 ASEAN Summit.
| Year | Milestone | Significance |
|---|---|---|
| 1967 | Official Launch | Established as an independent corporate body. |
| 1984 | Computerization | First in Asia to use editorial computers. |
| 1990 | Act Amendment | Granted rights to venture into business for self-financing. |
| 1997 | Monopoly End | Government withdrew sole foreign news distribution rights. |
| 2025 | AI Integration | Launched AI-generated content and staff AI training. |
Frequently Asked Questions
Was Bernama originally a government news agency?
No. During its formation, the Dewan Rakyat assured that Bernama would be an independent corporate body and not a government news agency.
When did Bernama stop being the sole distributor of foreign news?
The Malaysian government decided to withdraw Bernama's monopoly as the distributor of foreign news in 1997.
What was the first regional office opened by Bernama?
Bernama's first regional office outside of Malaysia was opened in Manila, Philippines, in 1979.
How is Bernama utilizing AI in 2025?
Bernama is implementing AI-related training for its media staff and has begun producing AI-generated content, such as the azan video launched on March 2, 2025.
What are Tinta Minda and Thoughts?
Launched in 2020 for Bernama's 53rd anniversary, these are commentary columns featuring experts from diverse backgrounds, provided in Malay (Tinta Minda) and English (Thoughts).