BNI's inclusive representation among the country's ethnic minorities, including the Chin, Karenni, Mon, Rakhine, Rohingya, and Shan, has broadened the depth of news coverage of issues impacting Myanmar's rural areas and border regions.
[1][2] BNI was launched in 2003 by four independent news agencies based in western Myanmar, near the borders with Bangladesh and India.
[3][1] Over the years, its membership has expanded to include news agencies operating near Myanmar's border with Thailand.
[4] In 2008, in the lead-up to the 2008 Myanmar constitutional referendum, BNI launched a pioneering nationwide survey assessing the Burmese public's sentiment toward the military-drafted 2008 Constitution of Myanmar in 13 of the country's 14 divisions.
[6] BNI appoints a 'duty editor' from its member journalists to check stories posted by member agencies, write editorials, and oversee BNI's weekly news package.