KUALA LUMPUR: The National Journalist Day (HAWANA) 2022 celebration is a platform to strengthen the country's journalism ecosystem, says Communications and Multimedia Minister Tan Sri Annuar Musa.

He said the celebration on May 29 in Melaka would be attended by journalists and local media practitioners as well as representatives from several neighbouring countries such as Indonesia, which provided an opportunity for the exchange of knowledge and experience in the field.

He said HAWANA was also the highest recognition for media practitioners who played a very important role in the development of the nation.

"The task and role of journalism are very synonymous with helping the development of the country, as well nation's struggles. If we can celebrate many other professions, it is not appropriate for us not to give the highest recognition to our journalists.

"For example, HAWANA, which can be implemented for at least three days with programmes covering all aspects and elements of the world of journalism that can lead to a broader understanding among the public of the world of journalism and role of journalists," he said.


He was speaking to reporters at the Media Practitioners' Appreciation Ceremony here today which was also attended by Bernama acting chief executive officer Roslan Ariffin. The ceremony was also attended by heads of agencies under the Ministry of Communications and Multimedia (K-KOMM) as well as the editor-in-chief of local media organisations.

HAWANA 2022 is scheduled to be officiated by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob. ISWAMI and Bernama will be the main drivers for the implementation of the ceremony which will also involve other agencies, organisations and media practitioners.

Meanwhile, Annuar suggested local media agencies form more professional collaborations with various international news agencies, especially those in the ASEAN region, to increase added value to the country's journalism ecosystem.

He said the success of the Malaysian National News Agency (Bernama) in signing a cooperation agreement with the Vietnamese news agency was a proud achievement and needed to be expanded and emulated.

"Our (local) media cannot just be based among ourselves. I want to see more of our journalists undergoing attachments with external media, so that we can see the development of external media as well as exchange ideas, experiences and news material.

"Cooperation with foreign media can also deepen the country's knowledge of journalism. Such a network of cooperation needs to be established immediately," he said.

He said Bernama, for example, had established cooperation with the media from Indonesia and Vietnam and he hoped for more cooperation with the media from various countries.

-- BERNAMA