HAWANA 2025: Forging A New Chapter In Elevating Journalism In The Digital Era

By Syed Iylia Hariz Al-Qadri Syed Izman

KUALA LUMPUR, June 15 (Bernama) -- The National Journalists’ Day (HAWANA) 2025, now in its fifth edition, continues to be a platform for championing the journalism profession while acting as a catalyst for a more progressive and responsible media transformation.

Carrying the theme ‘Journalism in the New Era: Embracing AI, Safeguarding Ethics’, the HAWANA 2025 celebration highlight yesterday marked a historic moment with the immediate enforcement of the Malaysian Media Council (MMC) Act 2024 and the announcement of 12 members of MMC’s Founding Board.

The announcement was made by Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil before 1,000 local and international media practitioners at the event officiated by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. Also present were Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Federal Territories) Datuk Seri Dr Zaliha Mustafa and Deputy Communications Minister Teo Nie Ching.

Among the attendees were Communications Ministry Secretary-General Datuk Mohamad Fauzi Md Isa, Malaysian National News Agency (Bernama) Chairman Datuk Seri Wong Chun Wai, Bernama Chief Executive Officer Datin Paduka Nur-ul Afida Kamaludin, and Bernama Editor-in-Chief Arul Rajoo Durar Raj, who is also HAWANA 2025 Project Director.

The enforcement of the Act marks the culmination of years of discussions to establish a self-regulatory body that empowers media practitioners while ensuring accountability and addressing public concerns over media practices.

Responding to the voices of the media community, HAWANA 2025 also saw the continuation of the Self-Employment Social Security Scheme (SKSPS) under the Social Security Organisation (PERKESO) for freelance media workers.

First announced during HAWANA in Sarawak last year, the scheme is extended this year with an allocation of RM37,170.

This initiative made possible through the synergy between Bernama and PERKESO, has so far benefited 531 freelance media workers.

The government’s commitment to ensuring no media practitioner is left out of a social safety net also continues with i-Saraan contributions to the Employees Provident Fund (EPF), involving an allocation of RM15,930.

Other good news announced at the HAWANA 2025 on Saturday included a one-off 50% discount offer on return airfares to any of the 57 ASEAN destinations exclusively for Malaysian Media Card holders. Bookings can be made until Dec 31, 2025, with travel period from April to September 2026.

This initiative, a strategic collaboration between the Communications Ministry and AirAsia, is being held in conjunction with Malaysia’s ASEAN Chairmanship in 2025.

“Thank you AirAsia for the generous initiative,” said Fahmi when announcing the offer.

Adding to the excitement, AirAsia co-founder and Capital A Bhd chief executive officer Tan Sri Tony Fernandes also announced that an aircraft will be named after a journalist and feature custom aircraft liveries as a tribute to the role and contributions of media professionals to ASEAN communities.

Meanwhile, the Prime Minister announced a RM30 million allocation for local media organisations for digital transformation and new technology adoption, describing it as the largest-ever government allocation for the media since independence.

In line with the rapid development of technology including artificial intelligence (AI), this allocation is expected to support training and help ensure journalists are not left behind in the AI race, while also reinforcing the balance between AI and ethics.

Saturday's ceremony also saw the late Rozaid Abdul Rahman, former director of Media and Strategic Communications at the Prime Minister’s Office, posthumously awarded the HAWANA 2025 Special Award.

The HAWANA 2025 Award was presented to Malaysian Press Institute (MPI) president Datuk Yong Soo Heong in recognition of his life-long contributions to journalism.

Three veteran journalists – News Desk Editor at The Star Ng Li Yiao, 56; former Karangkraf staffer Rusmin Fadzil, 62; and Makkal Osai Editor Murugan Perumal, 67 – were recipients of contributions from the Kasih@HAWANA Fund, presented by the Prime Minister.

Since its launch at HAWANA 2023 in Ipoh, Perak, the Kasih@HAWANA Fund has benefitted 441 media practitioners nationwide with contributions exceeding RM1.2 million.

At the same ceremony, the Prime Minister was presented with a copy of 'From a Rented Bungalow – The Bernama Story', by Wong, a 288-page volume documenting the founding history of Bernama.

HAWANA 2025’s intellectual segment also drew attention, with the HAWANA Forum 2025 addressing the topic “Malaysian Media Council: Regulator or Media Protector?”, and a technology sharing session titled “AI & Media: Tool, Threat or Opportunity?” – both sparking key discourse on the evolving role of the media in today’s fast-changing digital landscape.

This year’s celebration began on May 31 with the inaugural HAWANA-DBP Pantun Festival at Wisma Bernama – held to highlight the beauty of traditional Malay poetry among media practitioners.

The celebration also features the HAWANA 2025 Carnival at Sunway Putra Mall over three days beginning Friday, targeting 5,000 visitors and showcasing 20 exhibition booths involving major media agencies, government departments and private sector entities.

HAWANA 2025 continues today with a line-up of meaningful programmes, including a media sports event featuring traditional games and a roadshow to premier polytechnics in Selangor, Perak and Johor to cultivate youth interest in journalism and the media industry.

To ensure the success of HAWANA 2025, nearly 100 strategic partners came forward with support and sponsorships – a significant increase from 44 last year – reflecting growing recognition of the HAWANA “brand” not only among government departments and agencies but also within the corporate sector.

The successful organisation of HAWANA 2025 by the Ministry of Communications through Bernama as the implementing agency reaffirms the continued relevance and dynamism of Malaysia’s media industry in facing the challenges of the digital age.

HAWANA was first introduced in 2018 as a tribute to journalists’ contributions to national development, with May 29 chosen to commemorate the publication of the first edition of Utusan Melayu in 1939.

-- BERNAMA