Malaysian National News Agency (BERNAMA)

The Malaysian National News Agency or BERNAMA, a statutory body, was set up by an Act of Parliament in 1967 and began operations in May 1968. A five-member Supervisory Council appointed by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong is created to ensure that BERNAMA is always guided by the provisions of the Act in implementing its objectives. BERNAMA is managed by a Board of Governors appointed by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong. The Board comprises a Chairman and six representatives each from the Federal Government and Newspapers that are subscribers of BERNAMA. They each have alternate members who are also appointed by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong. The BERNAMA management is headed by a General Manager who is assisted by a Management Committee that implements all programmes and activities as well as decisions of the Board of Governors. The agency has its offices in all the states in Malaysia and correspondents in Singapore and Jakarta and stringers or retainers in Washington, London, Manila, New Delhi, Dhaka, Melbourne and Vancouver. Equipped with fully computerised operations, it provides general and economic news services and screen-based real time financial information services to subscribers in Malaysia and Singapore. BERNAMA’s role as a source of reliable and latest news is well known among local & international media including government agencies, corporations, universities and individuals nationwide. Most Malaysian newspapers and electronic media and other international news agencies are BERNAMA subscribers. BERNAMA is operating in the information industry, which is competitive but has tremendous growth potential.