BUTTERWORTH, June 19 (Bernama) -- The National Journalists' Day (HAWANA) 2026 celebration has provided a platform for media organisations and journalism-related bodies to organise programmes aimed at strengthening professionalism and addressing challenges facing the industry.
Ahead of the HAWANA 2026 main highlight tomorrow, media practitioners gathered here have also participated in several related programmes, including the Malaysia Media Retreat 2.0 organised by the Malaysian Federation of Media Clubs (GKMM), which brought together media practitioners representing 15 media clubs from across the country.
Its president, Mohamad Fauzi Ishak, said the programme not only strengthened ties among media clubs under the GKMM umbrella, but also served as a platform to assess the federation’s development since its official establishment on Oct 24, 2022.
“It also provides an opportunity to reflect on GKMM’s journey and achievements during that period ahead of its third annual general meeting, which will be held without any election process,” he told Bernama here today.
The retreat today was officiated by Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil and attended by Bernama Chief Executive Officer Datin Paduka Nur-ul Afida Kamaludin and Editor-in-Chief Arul Rajoo Durar Raj.
In addition to the retreat and GKMM annual general meeting, the Malaysian Press Institute (MPI) organised a town hall session titled “2035: Will Journalists Still Exist?” at Han Chiang University College of Communication (HCUC).
The session focused on the future of the journalism profession amid the rise of artificial intelligence, digitalisation and changing news consumption patterns.
The town hall featured MPI president Datuk Yong Soo Heong, New Straits Times Press (NSTP) deputy group managing editor (News and Current Affairs) and NST group editor Farrah Naz Abd Karim, as well as Media Prima News and Current Affairs (NCA) group editor and senior general manager of editorial content support for NCA, TV Networks and NSTP, Azhari Muhidin.
Tomorrow, the Malaysian Media Council (MMC) is scheduled to hold an introductory and engagement session with media practitioners, in addition to a networking programme involving members of the media fraternity from the northern region.
The main celebration of HAWANA 2026 will be officiated by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim tomorrow at PICCA @ Butterworth Arena and is expected to bring together about 1,000 media practitioners from within the country and abroad.
Themed ‘Media Integrity, Foundation of Credibility’, HAWANA 2026, organised by the Communications Ministry with Bernama as the implementing agency, serves as the nation’s highest platform for recognising the contributions, dedication and professionalism of media practitioners.
In conjunction with the celebration, the three-day RIUH @ HAWANA Carnival will also be held at the PICCA Convention Centre @ Butterworth Arena beginning tonight.
-- BERNAMA
