MMC BOARD APPOINTMENTS TO STRENGTHEN ETHICAL JOURNALISM - BERNAMA CEO

JOHOR BAHRU, Jan 19 (Bernama) -- Bernama Chief Executive Officer Datin Paduka Nur-ul Afida Kamaludin described the appointment of the new line-up of Malaysian Media Council (MMC) Board members as a major responsibility in efforts to strengthen ethical journalism practices and curb the spread of misinformation and inaccurate reporting.

She said the appointments also open up opportunities for the sharing of expertise in the field of journalism, including aspects of ethical reporting, thereby enhancing the credibility of the country’s media industry.

Nur-ul Afida said she was ready to contribute her expertise to the MMC, particularly in communication crisis management, as well as to share Bernama’s role as the country’s national communications machinery.

“As the CEO of Bernama, I can assist the Malaysian Media Council in the area of communication crisis management, in addition to sharing Bernama’s role as a national communications agency that consistently prioritises the principles of ethical journalism.

“Ethical reporting not only ensures the accuracy of information, but also helps prevent misrepresentation and misreporting,” she said.

She said this after witnessing a rehearsal for the closing ceremony preparations of the 2025 National Journalists’ Day (HAWANA) Campus Tour with Polytechnic Students at Politeknik Ibrahim Sultan (PIS), Pasir Gudang, here today.

Nur-ul Afida also expressed hope that members of the MMC Board would work closely and collaboratively to support the implementation of the tasks and roles entrusted to the national media leadership.

“I also hope that my colleagues on the Malaysian Media Council Board can assist me and the Director-General of Broadcasting, Datuk Suhaimi Sulaiman, in carrying out the trust placed upon us to the best of our ability.

“This is a great responsibility, and I hope to fulfil it for the betterment of the country’s media industry,” she said.

Earlier, the media reported that the government had named Suhaimi and Nur-ul Afida as its representatives on the MMC Board.

The appointments were made by Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil on Jan 14, in line with Section 8(1)(b) of the Malaysian Media Council Act 2025.

In a statement today, the MMC welcomed the appointments, describing Suhaimi as having extensive experience in broadcasting and journalism, spanning both the public and private sectors.

The MMC also described Nur-ul Afida as experienced in managing news organisations and media administration at the national level, in addition to having extensive involvement in the country’s mainstream media ecosystem.

With the appointment of the two government representatives, 20 out of the 21 positions on the MMC Board have now been filled.

-- BERNAMA