Jakarta: The Malaysian National News Agency (Bernama) is prepared to assist Indonesia's news agency, Antara, in combating false news and information through a collaborative fact-checking initiative. Bernama's chief executive officer, Datin Paduka Nur-ul Afida Kamaludin, indicated the agency's readiness to share its expertise and resources with Antara, especially through Bernama's fact-checking platform, MyCheck.My, which was launched in 2022 to address misinformation in Malaysia.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Nur-ul Afida expressed that the MyCheck unit was established four years ago to address false news and misinformation. She highlighted the interest shown by Antara in collaborating on fact-checking efforts. This collaboration was discussed during a courtesy visit by Bernama's delegation to Antara's headquarters, where Nur-ul Afida met with Antara's director-general, Benny Siga Butarbutar.

Present at the meeting were Bernama's editor-in-chief Arul Rajoo Durar Raj, deputy editor-in-chief (News Services) Mohd Shukri Ishak, and Antara's chief editor Virghandi Prayudantoro. MyCheck.My functions as an independent platform that addresses misinformation in Malaysia, focusing on issues impacting daily life and avoiding political or personal agendas.

Nur-ul Afida shared that the meeting also resulted in an agreement to revive collaboration programs that were paused during the COVID-19 pandemic, such as Salam dari Jakarta and Salam dari Kuala Lumpur. She emphasized the importance of these programs in enhancing mutual understanding between the people of Malaysia and Indonesia.

During their visit, the Bernama delegation also toured the Antara Heritage Centre, which has been the agency's office since 1937 and currently houses its editorial department, a journalism education centre, and a museum. Nur-ul Afida noted the significance of preserving the heritage building as both a reference centre and a source of national pride for Indonesia.

Benny Siga Butarbutar expressed hope that the Bernama-Antara partnership could be strategically strengthened, including in commercial areas, to address the challenges faced by media organizations today.