KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 15 (Bernama) -- Malaysian National News Agency (Bernama) Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Datin Paduka Nur-ul Afida Kamaludin was presented with the WAWASANITA Icon of Media Leadership Award 2026 by the Women Entrepreneurs Association of Malaysia (WAWASANITA) here today.
The award recognises Nur-ul Afida’s leadership, professional achievements and contributions to the advancement of Malaysia’s media and journalism industry.
She received the award at the ‘WAWASANITA 30 Years - Legacy Beyond Borders’ event, held in conjunction with the association’s 30th anniversary celebration.
Wawasanita President Dr Norli @ Norlaili Alias said that as Bernama CEO, Nur-ul Afida holds a significant leadership position in Malaysia’s media landscape, contributing to the continued development of credible journalism, professional news dissemination and responsible public communication.
“Her leadership reflects the importance of journalistic integrity, institutional credibility and the evolving role of media in connecting communities, strengthening public understanding and supporting informed participation in national and international affairs.
"As a distinguished woman leader within Malaysia's media industry, Datin Paduka Nur-ul Afida represents the spirit of professional excellence, resilience and leadership that WAWASANITA seeks to celebrate,” she said.
She said Nur-ul Afida's achievements serve as an inspiration to aspiring women professionals and future leaders, demonstrating the importance of women's representation in executive leadership and influential national institutions.
Meanwhile, Nur-ul Afida said the award was dedicated to fellow women journalists in Malaysia who had demonstrated their capabilities in an increasingly challenging industry.
“The journalism profession today demonstrates that women are capable of standing on equal footing with men in an increasingly challenging industry. Women in journalism do more than just deliver the news; they shape narratives, challenge perceptions and shape the future.
“Women are not only capable of reporting history, but also of making history through their leadership, courage and contributions to society,” she told reporters after the event.
Nur-ul Afida said the success of women in the media industry should not be measured solely by the number of women participating, but also by the extent to which they are given opportunities for career advancement, decision-making and leading change.
“I believe the future of journalism requires more women who are not only knowledgeable and skilled, but also courageous, principled and guided by integrity.
“We do not want women merely to have a seat at the discussion table. We want them to have a voice in determining decisions and the direction of the industry. We can see this in the Malaysian Media Council, as well as in the country’s mainstream media organisations and companies,” she said
Nur-ul Afida has more than four decades of experience in journalism, editorial leadership and strategic media management. She began her journalism career in 1984 and joined BERNAMA in January 1985 as a cadet reporter.
Throughout her career, she has held numerous senior editorial and leadership positions, culminating in her appointment as Bernama’s first female Editor-in-Chief in October 2023, before being appointed Chief Executive Officer on Feb 27, 2024.
As CEO, Nur-ul Afida leads Bernama’s strategic transformation, strengthening editorial excellence, accelerating digital innovation and advancing organisational sustainability, including the responsible adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) to support newsroom operations while upholding journalistic integrity.
-- BERNAMA