HAWANA Platform To Keep Media Relevant, Strengthen Regional Ties
By Noorazlina Jindeh
KUALA LUMPUR, May 23 (Bernama) -- The involvement of media practitioners from across ASEAN at this year's National Journalists' Day (HAWANA) is set to be a platform to ensure local media remain relevant and capable of fostering cooperation and co-existing with other media.
Sabah Journalists Association (SJA) president Mariah Doksil said HAWANA would provide an opportunity for agencies and journalists alike to share experiences and learn from each other, especially in the increasingly challenging world of journalism.
'This will help us face our biggest challenge in this digital age, especially concerning fake news,' she told Bernama recently.
Mariah also expressed hope that this year's HAWANA would serve as a platform to discuss various issues affecting the media industry and refine them to ensure that journalists carry out their duties more effectively.
She said issues that needed consideration included disrupted salary payments due to reduced advertising revenue, as well as the need to strengthen media freedom and journalistic ethics.
Jesselton Times editor Newmond Tibin opined that the establishment of the Malaysian Media Council's Founding Board should be realised in conjunction with this year's HAWANA celebration, as it was time for the council to function as a legal entity following the passing of the Malaysian Media Council Bill 2024 in the Dewan Rakyat in February.
Newmond said journalists and media practitioners had long awaited the council's formation, and if it materialised this June, it would be a meaningful gift to the nation's media fraternity.
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