Media Industry Welcomes HAWANA Welfare, Innovation Fund Support

BUTTERWORTH, June 20 (Bernama) -- Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim's announcement of an additional RM1 million allocation for the Tabung Kasih@HAWANA fund and the continuation of the Media Innovation Fund has been welcomed as a boost to both the welfare and competitiveness of the country's media industry.

Radio Televisyen Malaysia (RTM) director-general Ashwad Ismail said the announcement sent a clear signal on the importance of media organisations continuing to innovate and adapt to technological developments.

“The changing world, driven and strengthened by innovation, especially artificial intelligence (AI), requires the media to respond quickly, remain relevant to current realities and be prepared for the future,” he told Bernama.

Ashwad said Anwar understood the need for continuous reform and transformation within the media industry, adding that the continuation of the fund would help local media organisations strengthen their capabilities.

Meanwhile, Kelantan Darul Naim Media Club (KEMUDI) president Muhammad Yatimin Abdullah described the additional allocation for the Tabung Kasih@Hawana as significant in supporting the welfare of media practitioners and former journalists in need.

The Utusan Malaysia journalist said the Media Innovation Fund would help media organisations remain resilient and competitive amid growing industry challenges.

Kuala Lumpur and Selangor Journalists Club president Wan Syamsul Amly Wan Seadey said the announcement was particularly meaningful in supporting innovation efforts to ensure the industry remains relevant.

The Astro Awani journalist also described the additional allocation to the Tabung Kasih@Hawana as a positive step towards safeguarding the welfare of media practitioners, especially freelance journalists facing income constraints.

“However, I would like to propose that HAWANA introduce an education fund next year to help journalists further their education and enhance their skills,” he said.

Meanwhile, Han Chiang University College of Communication lecturer Siti Nooraeina Omar said the continuation of the Media Innovation Fund, which previously received an allocation of RM30 million, was crucial in ensuring the local media industry remained relevant in a rapidly evolving communications landscape.

She said media organisations could no longer operate as they did two decades ago and must embrace modernisation and technology to improve news production processes.

“The fund may help speed up news production, but as the Prime Minister pointed out, journalists will continue to play the critical role of verifying information,” she said.

-- BERNAMA