Bernama staying relevant 55 years on
Published on: Wednesday, August 03, 2022
By: Anthea Peter
Bernama Radio.
Kota Kinabalu: The Malaysian National News Agency (Bernama) celebrated 55 years as the nation’s trusted source of reliable real-time comprehensive and accurate news for both the public and media practitioners.Bernama was established under an Act of Parliament in April 6, 1967 and officially launched on Aug 30 the same year, in conjunction with the 10th anniversary of Malaysia’s Independence.
ADVERTISEMENT
Bernama, a statutory body under the Communications and Multimedia Ministry, became fully operational on May 20, 1968.
In the early days, Bernama operated with only 20 staff out of a four-room bungalow at No.222, Jalan Pekeliling, Kuala Lumpur.
Currently, the news agency operates from its own 15-storey headquarters building along Jalan Tun Razak.
Wisma Bernama building in Kuala Lumpur.
It has more than 700 employees, including over 400 journalists, editors, photojournalists and video cameramen.
ADVERTISEMENT
Bernama has branches in all Malaysian states and correspondents in Jakarta, Singapore and Bangkok as well as stringers in Washington, D.C, New York City, Australia and London.
Its bureaus and partners across Asean, the United States, United Kingdom, West Asia and the Indian sub-continent keep consumers informed on what’s happening worldwide.
ADVERTISEMENT
Bernama’s content is available in several languages, namely Malay, English, Mandarin, Tamil, Arabic and Spanish.
It also has 10 core products and services, namely its website (Bernama.com), Bernama TV, Bernama Radio, Bernama Images, Newslink5, Blis, Media Relations and Event Management (MREM), Digital Media Service, and Editorial Services.
Bernama began reporting via audio and visuals when its audio-visual division was established in 1998.
Its wholly-owned free-to-air station, Bernama Radio, was launched on Sept 3, 2007, which airs exclusive interview sessions, talk shows and offers advertising slots.
It was formerly known as Radio24 until it was rebranded as Bernama Radio in March 2016.
It airs over four stations, namely Klang Valley (FM93.9), Johor Bahru (FM107.5), Kuching (FM100.9) and Kota Kinabalu (107.9). On Jan 3, 2011, the station began its mobile streaming service accessible on smartphones and digital devices.
In October 1, 2019, Bernama Radio started a program on business news focusing on Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) dubbed “Your Business News Station” with the tagline “Wisdom and Thought Leadership”.
Bernama TV’s mid-day update streamed live on Facebook.
It broadcasts the latest news and interviews as well as discussions focusing on economic issues, current affairs, entrepreneurship and business development.
Apart from entrepreneurship and business programmes, Bernama Radio also broadcasts interviews with Technical and Vocational Education Training (TVET) graduates who have become successful entrepreneurs.
It also airs real estate-related programmes, interviews with chambers of commerce and renowned consulting companies while touching on topics such as the industrial revolution 4.0 (IR4.0) and tourism industry.
As for Bernama TV, it was launched in 2008, and rebranded into Bernama News Channel in 2016, but reverted to its original logo and name in 2019.
It airs news programmes on local and international business, politics, human interest, lifestyle, sports and entertainment and is available on Astro Channel 502, unifi TV 631, myFreeview 131 and global streaming on www.bernama.com/tv/.
Equipped with the latest technology and news production techniques, Bernama TV is a wellspring of credible and trusted news, recognised locally and by foreign organisations.
Bernama TV offers 10 news bulletins daily in Bahasa Malaysia, English, Mandarin and Tamil as well as talk shows and magazine programmes.
Its flagship talk show programme includes the long-running ‘Ruang Bicara’, as well as the digital talk show dubbed ‘Cucuk Duit’ on money management and a motivational dialogue dubbed ‘Refleksi Minda’, catering to youths.
To keep up with the rapidly evolving times and the digital age, Bernama also launched its three-in-one mobile application last year to make it easier for users to access information and Bernama’s content at the tip of their fingers.
The application offers various services, including Bernama TV and Bernama Radio. Users can download the application on the Google Play Store and Apple App Store.
- Photo sources: Bernama website and Bernama Official Facebook page
Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express’s Telegram channel.
Daily Express Malaysia
.jpg)
.jpg)
