HAWANA 2025: Platform For Public To Gain Insight Into Journalism

KUALA LUMPUR, June 12 (Bernama) -- Journalism students and those aspiring to enter the media industry are invited to the HAWANA 2025 Carnival, a three-day event starting tomorrow at Sunway Putra Mall here, to gain first-hand exposure to the field.

Malaysian National News Agency (Bernama) editor-in-chief Arul Rajoo Durar Raj the carnival, held in conjunction with the National Journalists Day (HAWANA) 2025 celebration, marked a historic milestone as it brought together all mainstream media agencies in the country under one programme.

“For the first time, we are organising a carnival involving all media agencies to showcase the development of local media. It might be difficult to visit each media agency individually, so we are bringing them together here,” he said when met by reporters after inspecting preparations for the HAWANA 2025 celebration at the World Trade Centre (WTC) Kuala Lumpur and Sunway Putra Mall today.

Arul Rajoo, who is also the HAWANA 2025 Project director, said the carnival would, among other things, give visitors the opportunity to try their hand at newsreading, offering valuable insight into the media industry.

“This is a great opportunity for the public, as each media agency will feature its own activities; in addition, (visitors) will have the chance to meet newsreaders and experience what it’s like to read the news or host a programme,” he said.

Among the participating media companies are Astro, TV AlHijrah, Radio Televisyen Malaysia (RTM), and digital portals such as RotiKaya and Vanakkam Malaysia, in addition to media agencies from Sabah and Sarawak.

The HAWANA 2025 Carnival, to be held from tomorrow until Sunday, will feature various programmes, including the Bernama mini-conti, pocket talks, Bernama services, digital newspaper giveaways by the New Straits Times Press Berhad, quizzes, and a news reading challenge by Media Prima Berhad.

There will also be lucky draws, colouring contests for children and the screening of a promotional video for the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission’s (MCMC) Safe Internet Campaign.

Themed “Journalism in the New Era: Embracing AI, Safeguarding Ethics”, the HAWANA 2025 celebration will also include the HAWANA Media Forum, which will to be held on Saturday to provide insights into the latest developments in the local media industry.

The highlight of HAWANA 2025 will be the officiating of the celebration by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim at WTCKL on Saturday.

More than 1,000 media practitioners, representatives from local journalist associations and media organisations from ASEAN member countries have been invited, bringing together media professionals and industry experts to exchange ideas and forge strategic partnerships.

--BERNAMA