Involvement Of Sabah, Sarawak Media In HAWANA Empowers Inclusiveness Of Media Industry

KUALA LUMPUR, June 17 (Bernama) -- The commitment of the Malaysian National News Agency (Bernama) to ensure that media practitioners from Sabah and Sarawak continue to be involved in the National Journalists' Day (HAWANA) proves the organisers' determination to strengthen the inclusiveness of the country's media industry.

Editor-in-Chief of Utusan Borneo Sabah Datuk Lichong Angkui said that since HAWANA was introduced, media representatives from the states have always been given the opportunity to participate in the programme despite the high logistical and travel costs involved.

Lichong, who is also a member of the Administrative Council of the Malaysian-Indonesian Journalists' Alliance (ISWAMI), said the involvement of media from Sabah and Sarawak in the HAWANA programme over the past few years proves that the two regions continue to be given attention in the national journalism development agenda.

“Since HAWANA was introduced, we can see Bernama’s determination to ensure that media practitioners from Sabah and Sarawak participate in this prestigious programme alongside media partners from Peninsular Malaysia.

“It not only involves mainstream media, but also includes selected news portals and representatives of journalist associations from both states,” he said in a statement here, today.

Lichong said the continuous participation of Sabah and Sarawak media in HAWANA which has been held in Kuala Lumpur, Melaka, Perak, Sarawak and now Penang shows the government’s commitment to strengthening the integration of the media industry nationwide.

He said the inclusive approach was important to ensure that the voices, views and experiences of media practitioners in East Malaysia were always taken into account in every discussion on the future of journalism in the country.

“Sabah and Sarawak have their own uniqueness and challenges in the media landscape and it is important that the perspectives from these two regions are given space at the national level,” he said.

Commenting further, he said the positive development could also be seen through the involvement of representatives from Sabah and Sarawak in the Malaysian Media Council (MMC) which plays a role strengthening professionalism, ethics and media freedom.

He said participation in MMC proved that media from both regions were not only given attention, but also played a role in determining the direction of the country's media industry.

Regarding the organisation of HAWANA in Penang this year, Linchong said it proved that the distance factor was not an excuse to limit the participation of media practitioners from Sabah and Sarawak.

"Sabah is among the states furthest from the location of HAWANA this time, with the air journey from Kota Kinabalu to Penang taking approximately two hours and 40 minutes.

"However, Bernama still ensures that media representatives from Sabah can attend and participate in all the programmes organised. This shows a very high commitment to the principle of inclusiveness in the development of the country's media," he said.

He said the opportunity to participate in HAWANA enables media practitioners from Sabah and Sarawak to expand their professional networks, exchange views and keep up with the latest developments in the ever-changing media industry.

"Thank you to Bernama, the Ministry of Communications and the Penang Government for continuing to recognise the role of the Sabah and Sarawak media as an important part of the Malaysian media family," he said.

With the theme "Media Integrity Strengthens Credibility", HAWANA 2026 is organised by the Ministry of Communications with Bernama as the implementing agency, with the aim of appreciating the contributions, perseverance and professionalism of media practitioners in the country.

The culmination of HAWANA 2026 will be officiated by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim at PICCA Convention Centre @ Arena Butterworth on June 20 and is expected to be attended by more than 1,200 guests including media practitioners, ASEAN delegations and official invitees.

-- BERNAMA