KUALA LUMPUR: MPs proposed on Wednesday that Malaysia's national news agency Bernama be empowered to become the voice for the country and a global news source.
Pasir Gudang MP Hassan Abdul Karim said the Bernama not only has an important role to accurately report local news but also news content at regional and global level.
"It will be good if the Communications Minister can initiate these changes for Bernama to play its role on a wider scale, (such as) at Asean and global level," he said when debating the Bernama (Amendment) Bill 2024 at the Dewan Rakyat on Wednesday (Feb 26).
Hassan said apart from being vocal on global humanitarian issues such as the conflict in Gaza, empowering Bernama's role could take the voice of Malaysia as the Asean Chair to international communities.
Citing Al Jazeera, which is based in Doha, Qatar and the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC), he said the media organisations were global references.
Rasah MP Cha Kee Chin said he hoped Bernama would play a more active and proactive role in the present digital media landscape
He adding that the government should bring improvements to turn Bernama's social media platform as the people's main choice for news as it played a crucial role in addressing fake content.
Kulim Bandar Baharu MP Roslan Hashim also agreed that Bernama should be rejuvenated to face the digital transformation wave and the stiff competition from other local media agencies in the delivery of trusted news.
"I welcome the government's efforts in bringing improvements to Bernama for it to stand out as a leader in the delivery of news and content," he said.
Dewan Rakyat later passed the Bernama (Amendment) Bill 2024, which, among others, aims to make the media industry more inclusive.
The amendments to the Bernama Act 1967 (Act 780), is the first to be carried out since the Act was enacted in 1967. It was passed after being debated by eight MPs.
Communication Minister Fahmi Fadzil, when presenting the Bill for Second Reading said the amendment Bill was to ensure more dynamic composition, in line with the developments and current needs of the media industry.
He said the Bill not only brings reforms to the media and digital landscape but will also provide more effective communication by the government.
The Bill comprised amendments to Section 2 of the Act to include the new definition of "media organisation" which is not merely print media but also electronic and digital media in line with the current boom of technology. – Bernama
Bernama Act amendment ensures media inclusivity #BernamaNews#BernamaInfographics#BernamaActAmendment@fahmi_fadzil pic.twitter.com/HTCXui6vJC
— BERNAMA (@bernamadotcom) February 26, 2025
