Malaysia Honours The Press With National Journalists Day On Sunday

KUALA LUMPUR, May 29 (Bernama) -- Malaysia on Sunday observed the National Journalists Day (HAWANA), a significant recognition for media professionals and the media industry where both have seen new challenges and opportunities in the country’s ever changing media landscape. With the theme "Suara Jelata, Aspirasi Negara" (The Voice of the People, The Aspirations of the Nation), the event is seen as the largest gathering of journalists and media practitioners in the country. May 29 has been designated as HAWANA, in conjunction with the first publication of the Utusan Melayu newspaper on May 29, 1939, the oldest Malay language news publication in the country. This year’s HAWANA, held in the UNESCO-listed state of Melaka, is hosted by the Malaysian National News Agency (Bernama) with the support from the Malaysian-Indonesian Journalists’ Association (ISWAMI) and the Communications and Multimedia Ministry (K-KOMM). Gayathry Venkiteswaran, assistant professor at the School of Media, Languages and Culture, University of Nottingham (Malaysia Campus), said media professionals have gone through unprecedented challenges in recent times brought about by digital and technology revolution. “The (COVID-19) pandemic showed how important it is to have credible and verified information in the midst of misinformation about the virus itself, the vaccine and other public health measures,” she said. Veteran journalist Johan Jaaffar in his remarks in conjunction with HAWANA 2022 said journalism industry in Malaysia now require the support of all parties including the government in creating a new platform and ecosystem for the industry, so that its future viability is assured. Johan said the move is important as journalism has become a sunset industry with the advent of social media and several other challenges since 2016. “I think between 2016 and 2018, not less than 5,000 media personnel in the country lost their jobs. So this has triggered the question on the form of industry in future and as such I think for its sustainability and future, the key issue is for the industry to create a new ecosystem,” he said. Utusan Borneo Sabah editor-in-chief Lichong Angkui on the run up to HAWANA had pointed out journalism in Malaysia has survived and maintained its integrity despite facing various challenges such as the political uncertainties and the economic fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic. ‘This is actually the manifestation of HAWANA 2022, which not only recognises the roles and contributions of journalists but also pushes the Malaysian journalism institution to the highest level," he said. Lichong, who is a member of the Bernama Board of Governors and also of the HAWANA 2022 Committee, said journalism in the country generally adhered to the principle of press freedom, thus making it relevant at all times. A total of 17 key media leaders from Indonesia and representatives from several ASEAN countries were expected to join in the celebration. Malaysian Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob is scheduled to officiate HAWANA 2022 at 2pm. The inaugural HAWANA was commemorated in 2018. -- BERNAMA