MOSCOW: The Malaysian National News Agency (Bernama) plans to work with the international media network TV BRICS to widen its global and regional news coverage, reflecting a growing emphasis on cross-border media cooperation.
In making the announcement, Bernama chairman Datuk Seri Wong Chun Wai said both sides hope to collaborate, emphasising the importance of the Global South having access to alternative and diverse views in a multipolar world.
He said the proposed collaboration, following an earlier meeting in Kuala Lumpur, aims to boost content exchange, co-productions of feature reports, and training, especially now that Malaysia has attained BRICS partnership status.
Last October, Malaysia was recognised as one of 13 nations officially added to BRICS as a partner country when Russia was its chair, a bloc that collectively accounts for one-fifth of global trade.
"Among the key areas of collaboration under discussion with TV BRICS were on economy, business, artificial intelligence (AI), tourism, health and green initiatives,” he said after meeting his counterpart Ivan Polykavoc and other senior TV BRICS officials here on Monday (May 12).
Bernama hopes to expand its reach by partnering TV BRICS, a multilateral media platform which connects Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, Wong said.
Russia-based TV BRICS, on its part, wants to work with Bernama to amplify Southeast Asian perspectives to a global audience while gaining enriched content from fellow developing nations.
"This partnership is a timely opportunity for Bernama to share Malaysia’s voice and Asean developments with a wider international audience,” he said.
BRICS, originally comprising Brazil, Russia, India, and China, was established in 2009 as a cooperation platform for emerging economies, with South Africa joining in 2010. The bloc has since expanded to include Iran, Egypt, Ethiopia, and the United Arab Emirates.
Brazil is BRICS chair for 2025.
Emphasising Malaysia's neutrality, Wong said Bernama wishes to work with any compatible major news agencies.
"We hope Bernama can be a bridge between Asia and other Global South nations," he added.
Wong also met Russian news agency (TASS) director-general Andrey Kondrashov separately.
He congratulated TASS on its 120th anniversary celebration last year, describing it as a remarkable feat in journalism.
"Bernama is pleased to be a long-time partner of TASS, which is an institution (in itself) in Russia," he added. Kondrashov expressed TASS' wish to upgrade collaboration with Bernama.
Wong said he is interested in knowing more about AI tools used by TASS to check on fake news and its source.
Wong will also be speaking on media development at the XVI International Economic Forum, "Russia-Islamic World: KazanForum”.- Bernama
