INAUGURAL SARAWAK MEDIA CONFERENCE AMONG HIGHLIGHTS OF HAWANA 2024

KUCHING, May 2 (Bernama) -- The inaugural Sarawak Media Conference (SMEC) 2024 in the Land of the Hornbills will be among the highlights of the National Journalists’ Day (HAWANA) 2024 celebration, slated to be held here, later this month.

Deputy Minister in the Sarawak Premier’s Department (Corporate Affairs, Information, and Sarawak Public Communication Unit) Datuk Abdullah Saidol said that the conference, which is the state government’s initiative, serves as a platform to delve into the development of the media industry towards the digital agenda.

“I think it’s timely as we are facing an evolution from traditional to digital, and of course, with Sarawak's digital economic agenda, it's appropriate to involve the media practitioners as an important platform to enhance public understanding.

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“I hope that the Sarawak Media Conference will become an annual state event involving the media in Sarawak,” he said after paying a courtesy call to the Governor of Sarawak Tun Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar at Astana Negeri today.

With less than three weeks remaining, Abdullah said that the HAWANA 2024 celebration on May 25 to 27 will also see an exhibition which will highlight the journey and struggles of past local journalists who were significant to the independence and formation of Malaysia.

He said several books authored by Wan Junaidi, which are rich in knowledge, especially related to the state's development, would also be showcased at the exhibition.

“We have sought permission from him (Wan Junaidi) to gather all the books he has ever written to be exhibited at HAWANA because the definition of media involves not only journalists but also book authors because those manuscripts contain information and knowledge to be read and understood,” he said.

Over 1,000 media practitioners, representatives from local journalist associations, as well as media representatives from ASEAN member countries, are invited to attend HAWANA 2024, which serves as a significant platform for professional media fraternity and industry experts to exchange ideas and establish strategic relationships.

Themed, ‘Etika Teras Kewartawanan Mapan’, the largest annual gathering of Malaysian journalists this year is organised by the Communications Ministry in collaboration with the Sarawak State Government, with Bernama being the implementing agency.

-- BERNAMA