BERNAMA ACT 1967 AMENDMENT TIMELY AMID DIGITAL AGE CHALLENGES - MEDIA PRACTITIONERS 

By Rozainah Abdul Rahim

KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 27 (Bernama) -- The amendment to the BERNAMA Act 1967 (Act 780), the first since its enactment, is timely in driving media and digital reforms, Group Editor-in-Chief of Media Chinese International Limited (MCIL) Malaysia Datuk Kuik Cheng Kang said. 

Kuik, who is also a Bernama board member, said in today’s era of information chaos, high-quality news agencies like Bernama, which uphold journalistic professionalism, are essential in safeguarding media integrity.

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In an age where fake news is rampant, he said the phrase ‘a picture is proof’ is no longer relevant, as images and videos can now be easily manipulated. 

“Today, what we see in photos or videos, even what we hear, can be doctored by artificial intelligence (AI). 

“That is why it is crucial for a credible national news agency like Bernama to amend its laws and drive media and digital reforms at the right time,” he said when contacted today. 

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Yesterday, Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil, when tabling the second reading of the BERNAMA (Amendment) Bill 2024, said the amendments aim to ensure a more dynamic composition in line with current developments and industry needs.

On the Malaysian Media Council (MMC) Bill 2024, which was also passed yesterday, Kuik expressed hope that its establishment would genuinely bring more media freedom and not introduce new restrictions through enforcement agencies.

“As the media industry faces increasing challenges, competition and pressure on traditional media are greater than ever.

“We need to reform ourselves to strengthen media credibility. In fact, many traditional media outlets already have their own standard operating procedures. With heightened awareness and responsibility among media practitioners, they are already on the right track,” he said.

Malaysia’s media industry made history yesterday when the Dewan Rakyat passed the MMC Bill 2024, which aims to guarantee media freedom and ensure the public receives authentic, credible and fair information, an effort first proposed in 1973.

Sinar Harian Group Editor-in-Chief Zamri Rambli, who is also a member of the Malaysian Press Institute (MPI) Administrative Council, said efforts to establish the MMC had faced repeated setbacks for over five decades until a pro tem committee was formed in 2018 to drive the initiative forward.

“We welcome the passing of the MMC Bill 2024 in the Dewan Rakyat. This is a historic moment, marking the end of a long and challenging journey to establish the Media Council.

“I personally joined the committee in 2022 and witnessed the hard work of the pro tem team, led by Premesh Chandran, alongside media professionals and the Communications Ministry, to ensure the bill was tabled and passed,” he said.

As a media practitioner, Zamri hopes the MMC will play a role in setting, regulating and overseeing media standards, practices and reporting in the country.

“In an era where the media industry struggles to survive, the MMC should also focus on media funding, journalist welfare and training. Congratulations to the Communications Ministry, the pro tem committee, editors and media NGOs who worked tirelessly to get this historic bill passed,” he added.

-- BERNAMA