By Voon Miaw Ping
The Malaysian National News Agency (Bernama) must capitalise on its potential to emerge as an international news agency that disseminates news for global audiences from the Malaysian perspective, said prominent media practitioner Datuk Abdul Jalil Hamid.
The New Straits Times Press (Malaysia) Berhad (NSTP) chief executive officer said Bernama, which celebrates its 50th anniversary this year, should leverage on its vast experience and resources, including assets, human capital and network, to emerge as a force to be reckoned with on the global media stage.
"In a growing market, we need to shift from covering local news for local audiences alone to covering international news for global audiences from Malaysia's own viewpoint," he said.
He reckoned that to help mould the global perception of Malaysia, local media should play a more prominent role rather than rely on foreign media.
"And Bernama is in a good position to undertake this task," Abdul Jalil said in an interview in conjunction with Bernama's Golden Jubilee celebration.
Abdul Jalil suggested that Bernama establish a presence in more Asean capitals as well as countries with which Malaysia had developed strategic interests, such as China and Saudi Arabia.
He expressed the hope that the news agency, along with its television network, Bernama News Channel and Bernama Radio, would continue to provide more quality content to meet the ever-increasing demand for news and information.
Abdul Jalil lauded Bernama for having contributed valuable human capital to the media industry, with its former personnel making their presence felt both in the local media landscape as well as on the wider global stage.
"I think the founders of Bernama wouldn't have expected the news agency to grow into what it has become today," he said of the multi-platform news agency with around 1,000 staff.
Abdul Jalil's career of over 30 years in journalism and communications started at Bernama. He had joined the news agency soon after graduating from Universiti Teknologi Mara (then ITM) in 1982.
Abdul Jalil served Bernama for seven years, holding positions such as Johor bureau chief and acting economic news service editor.
During his 18 years with Reuters, he held positions such as chief political correspondent and deputy bureau chief for Reuters in Malaysia and Brunei Darussalam between 1998 and 2008 and was also posted to Reuters offices in London, Singapore and Jakarta.
"Thanks to my experience with Bernama, especially in economic news reporting, Reuters saw my potential and hired me. It was a great opportunity for me. I thought that I would last a couple of years (with Reuters) but I lasted nearly two decades with them," he said.
Abdul Jalil once headed the National Communications Team, a unit under the Prime Minister's Office set up to help spearhead strategic communications advice and planning for the government.
Abdul Jalil was appointed NSTP CEO on March 1, 2017. He had been NSTP group managing editor since Oct 15, 2011.
-- BERNAMA
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