When it all started?
Brunei Information Service was thus officially
recognised in 1953 although in principle, its operational activities
began since April 1,1952.
What is Information Department?
Department of Information was formerly known as the
Brunei Information Service established on April 1,1952. Its
establishment was in response to the primacy of communicative of
interaction between the government and the people. Political development
affecting the Southeast Asian region at that time was another pressing
reason to establish her.
What is the Purpose of the Department?
One of the purpose is in response to the needs of
time, thus the government considered that it was most appropriate to
establish a department designed to disseminate information.
What are the Products & Services of the Department?
In the early period, the Brunei Information Service
provided entertainment and information with the screening of films in
Malay and English obtained from the Central Office of Information,
London. Apart from these, films on Medical and Health were shown
throughout the State. In 1954, four documentary films were produced
locally, namely His Majesty Birthday Celebration, Ear Piercing Ceremony
of the Royal Princess, Prophet Muhammad S.A.W. birthday celebration
and landing of the first aircraft at Berakas Airport.
It also supplied photographs for use by local
newspapers. Some were meant for display at the Information Reading Room
widely used by schoolchildren from rural areas.
Vehicles equipped with public addressing system were
also used in the effort to disseminate information to public on
related matters such as healthy food, football matches and school
sports day.
Information Service also created "Information
Reading Room" based in each district. The first reading room was in
created in the Belait District in 1954, in Temburong District in 1957
and the following year in the Tutong District.
These reading rooms were initiated as one of the
methods to propagate information to members of the public by providing
reading materials for free particularly on publications produced by the
Department itself.
Pelita Brunei, the official government newspaper was
first published on February 15,1956 using a cyclostyle form. It was
published fortnightly with a 19 pages A4 (fullscape)-sized and
distributed for free. During its first publication, an amount of 300
pieces of Pelita Brunei were printed. It had undergone several reforms
with a significant development on February 18, 1959 with the printing
of the Pelita Brunei using a Linotype printing machine.
With the establishment of Radio Brunei Service in
1957, Information Service gave the public subsidy to buy radios by
monthly installments for one year. In 1958, the Information Service
sold 1,048 sets of radio throughout the State.
In March 1960, a monthly English Language
publication entitled "Brunei (The Abode of Peace)" was published which
contained events of the month. It had a circulation of 500 copies
distributed overseas.
Who's behind of it?
The Department had undergone several administration
restructuring. In 1961, Brunei Information Service with Radio Brunei
Service were merged and later known as Broadcasting and Information
Department.
It was later separated into two entities in June
1975, whereby Information was designated as Information Division and
was put under the jurisdiction of the State Secretariat Office.
In 1983, the Information Division was later upgraded
and became Information Department. It was then under the Ministry of
Culture, Youth and Sports as of January 1, 1984 - soon after Brunei
Darussalam achieved her independence.
In 1985, Information Department and Radio Televisyen
Brunei were merged and later known as Broadcasting and Information
Department on December 1, 1985.
It was later, on October 20, 1986; the Department was under the wing of the Prime Minister's Office.
However, on March 1, 1991, the Department was then
separated into two departments where Information became as Information
Department and remains a sole identity until today under the Prime
Minister's Office.
Currently, there are twelve divisions and three
district branches namely; Administration and Finance; Annual Report
& Special Affairs; English News; Natioonhood and Community; Pelita
Brunei; Media Services and Public Relations; Publications and
Exhibition; Photography and Audio Visual; International Affairs;
Training Division; Research and Development; Information Technology and
P.A System; Belait District Branch; Temburong District Branch and Tutong
District Branch.
