Indonesia's PWI Delegation Visit Bernama for Closer Ties

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 12 (Bernama) -- A delegation from the Indonesian Journalists’ Association (PWI) Limapuluh Kota-Payakumbuh and Riau Thursday visited the Malaysian National News Agency (Bernama) headquarters here. Aimed at forging closer ties between media practitioners of the two countries, the arrival of the 64-member PWI delegation, led by Zulmansyah Sekedang, was met and welcomed by Bernama general manager Zulkefli Salleh. They held a dialogue session with Bernama chairman Azman Ujang, Zulkefli and Bernama Editor-in-Chief Zakaria Abdul Wahab, in which they, among others, discussed the challenges of the media industry especially the print media in the face of fierce competition from social media, as well as the unique friendship that existed between Malaysia and Indonesia. In the discussion, Zulkefli suggested that media practitioners from both countries increase the number of positive news reports in their respective coverage. “As media practitioners, we can choose to leverage and amplify an issue or vice versa. However it is better if we choose to report from the positive aspects to maintain the relationship between the two countries,” said Zulkefli who had previously served as Bernama foreign correspondent in Indonesia. Zulmansyah said that the visit also provided the delegation members with the opportunity to exchange views on the current development and challenges of the media industry in both countries. Describing the visit to Bernama as very meaningful, Zulmansyah said it also enhanced the knowledge and understanding of delegation members on the role played by the news agency. During the visit, the delegation members were also briefed on the operations and products provided by Bernama besides being brought to view three Bernama main units, namely the Editorial Department, Bernama Radio and Bernama News Channel (BNC). Apart from Bernama, the PWI delegation have also called on the International Institute for Halal Research and Training, Karangkraf Media Group and Radio Televisyen Malaysia (RTM) during their three-day visit to the federal capital. Also present at the discussion were deputy Editor-in-Chief of Economic News Service Nor Faridah Abdul Rashid and deputy Editor-in-Chief of International News Service Ahmad Zukiman Mohd Zain. (photoBERNAMA) -BERNAMA