Bernama Journalist Selected For 2025 KRP Wolfson Press Fellowship

KUALA LUMPUR, March 20 (Bernama) -- Malaysian National News Agency (Bernama) economic news service assistant editor Niam Seet Wei has been selected as a participant of Khazanah Nasional Bhd's Khazanah Residency Programme (KRP) Wolfson Press Fellowship 2025.

Niam will undergo a 10-week fellowship at Wolfson College, University of Cambridge, United Kingdom, from April 7 to June 13.

Besides Niam, other participants selected are Radio Televisyen Malaysia (RTM) news editor Ameerul Eiman Azizi and Khazanah vice-president (Corporate Communications) Reena Raj.

Khazanah managing director Datuk Amirul Feisal Wan Zahir expressed hope that this year’s participants would fully immerse themselves in the programme and gain valuable insights from both the environment and their peers, each bringing a wealth of unique experience.

“The current global environment is shaped by various challenges, including geopolitical tensions, political issues, and climate change, all of which impact us on a global scale. 

“Understanding these issues is essential, and it is hoped that as more people participate in this programme, it will encourage more mature and thoughtful conversations in the press,” he said. 

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He noted that as part of Khazanah’s commitment to capacity building in various areas, the programme plays a key role in enhancing skills in communication and media. 

“Congratulations to the participants, and best of luck on this exciting journey,” he added. 

Niam who was born and raised in Sabak Bernam, Selangor expressed her excitement and deep gratitude upon receiving a prestigious fellowship, which will allow her to conduct research at the University of Cambridge.

“I would like to thank Bernama chief executive officer Datin Paduka Nur-ul Afida Kamaludin, and my executive editor Saraswathi Muniappan as she was the one who recommended me for this fellowship.

"I also want to express my gratitude to editor-in-chief Arul Rajoo Durar Raj and deputy editor-in-chief (economic news service) Azlina Aziz for endorsing my project,” she said after receiving the fellowship from Amirul Feisal.

During her 10-week research programme at Cambridge, Niam will focus on “How Media Reports on Electric Vehicle (EV)-Related Issues in Malaysia.”

“I hope that the outcome of my study will contribute to Malaysia’s policy development, especially in the EV development,” she added.

Saraswathi also expressed appreciation to Khazanah for selecting Niam as one of the three fellows for this year’s programme, hoping that she will gain valuable contacts and networking opportunities to further her career in the media industry.

“I believe Niam's study on EVs will help Bernama to make our reporting in that industry more inclusive,” she said.

Meanwhile, Ameerul Eiman’s proposed research will focus on “Public Acceptance of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Fact-Checking,” while Reena will explore crisis communication in the era of social media.

“I will be examining how the 24-hour news cycle in social media affects the mental health of corporate communications personnel. I believe this is a highly relevant issue for many of us in the communications field today,” Reena said.

The prestigious 10-week residential programme has welcomed over 350 journalists from 47 countries since its inception in 1982.

Since 2013, Khazanah has partnered with Wolfson College to sponsor two Malaysian journalists and one corporate communications professional annually. To date, it has produced 30 fellows, contributing significantly to its mission of advancing Malaysia by empowering the Malaysian media community.

-- BERNAMA