HAWANA 2026 Culminates Tomorrow With Massive Gathering Of Media Practitioners In Penang
BUTTERWORTH, June 19 (Bernama) -- Penang will be the focus of media professionals from home and abroad tomorrow when the summit of National Journalists' Day (HAWANA) 2026 takes place, bringing together about 1,000 media practitioners in an occasion that celebrates the role of journalism as the core of delivering information with integrity and credibility.
Themed "Media Integrity Strengthens Credibility", the summit is scheduled to be officiated by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim at 3 pm.
Among those scheduled to attend are Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow, Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil and Communications Ministry secretary-general Datuk Abdul Halim Hamzah.
Also expected to be present are Malaysian National News Agency (Bernama) chairman Datuk Seri Wong Chun Wai, Bernama chief executive officer Datin Paduka Nur-ul Afida Kamaludin and top management from local media companies.
Nur-ul Afida, who is also the chairman of the HAWANA 2026 Working Committee, said HAWANA is not just a platform to appreciate journalists but a field to strengthen professional networks and friendships while bringing the community closer to the media.
“Alhamdulillah, this time we also received support from our agency partner under the Ministry of Communications, namely MyCreative Venture, which also held the RIUH Pi HAWANA Carnival programme, so in fact this is all for the community to come and get to know us (media practitioners).
“So this is for journalists to use this platform to connect with each other and strengthen their relationships,” she said when appearing as a guest on Bernama TV’s Apa Khabar Malaysia programme today.
Nur-ul Afida also expressed her appreciation to all strategic partners who played an important role in realising the organising of this year’s celebration.
The HAWANA 2026 summit will be broadcast live on Bernama TV, with continued broadcast by RTM and TV AlHijrah as well as local social media platforms, thus expanding the broadcast’s reach to the audience nationwide.
At the event, the Prime Minister is expected to hand over contributions from Tabung Kasih@HAWANA to veterans in need, as well as present prizes to the winners of the HAWANA-DBP Pantun Festival held on May 9.
In addition, the HAWANA Award and the HAWANA Special Award will be presented to figures who have made significant contributions to the world of journalism and the development of public thinking.
In conjunction with the culminating event, several side programmes were also held including the Penang State Government Dinner with the Governor of Penang Tun Ramli Ngah Talib at a hotel here tonight.
Also taking place was the RIUH Pi HAWANA Carnival which was held for three days starting today at the PICCA Convention Centre parking lot, featuring performances by local artists such as Exists, Bunkface, Masdo, Sakura Band, Budak Nakal Hujung Simpang and Chelsea Ng.
The carnival brought together more than 24 local creative product brands and 20 food and beverage vendors, in addition to offering various interactive workshops to visitors.
Earlier, various programmes were organised in conjunction with HAWANA 2026 including the HAWANA 2026 Media Forum on May 7, the HAWANA 2026 Strategic Partner Meeting on June 4 and Fun Walk HAWANA 2026 on 14 June which successfully attracted encouraging participation from media practitioners and the public.
HAWANA is celebrated on May 29 every year in conjunction with the publication of the first edition of the Utusan Melayu newspaper on May 29 1939 in recognition of the services and contributions of media practitioners to national development.
Organised by the Ministry of Communications through Bernama as the implementing agency, HAWANA is the main platform to appreciate the dedication, professionalism and role of media practitioners as the provider of accurate, authentic and authoritative information to the community.
-- BERNAMA
