National Journalists’ Day 2023 to include more Asean media: Fahmi

KUALA LUMPUR – This year’s National Journalists’ Day (Hawana 2023) is expected to take place between May 27 and May 29, and will likely include the participation of more media practitioners from neighbouring countries.

Communications and Digital Minister Fahmi Fadzil said the Hawana 2023 celebrations are also slated to be held in Ipoh, Perak over the three days. 

“We hope this programme will bring together journalists and the family of reporters at large who are not only from Malaysia, but from regional Asean media agencies,” he told reporters after hosting a dinner with senior journalists at a restaurant in Bangsar here yesterday evening.

“As we develop the Asean economic community, we need to obtain a variety of news from neighbouring countries, apart from bringing the community together and inculcating the spirit of muhibbah (friendship) among Asean countries.”

Also present at the function were Communications and Digital Deputy Minister Teo Nie Ching, and Bernama chief executive Roslan Ariffin.

Last year, Hawana 2022 was celebrated in Melaka on May 29 with the theme “People’s Voice, National Aspiration”. 

Officiated by then-prime minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob, the celebration saw the reading of the Melaka Declaration containing the views and aspirations of journalists in carrying out their duties and contributing to the nation.

The celebration last year also saw the participation of media representatives from Indonesia and Vietnam.

Meanwhile, Fahmi said several satellite programmes will also be held in conjunction with Hawana 2023, which includes workshops suited for this year's theme.

The Lembah Pantai MP also said that several announcements are expected to be made during the celebrations.

“We understand that in the post-pandemic (world) and under the current circumstances, journalists and media organisations face a multitude of challenges,” he said.

“We want to provide some direction to move forward (with the challenges) for the media ecosystem in Malaysia.” – The Vibes, March 15, 2023