The ISWAMI Malaysia delegation comprised 33 people, including chief editors of news organisations, ISWAMI Malaysia leadership and journalists from Malaysia, who were invited to attend the HPN celebration held annually.
The HPN 2024 celebration, held at Ecovention Hall in Ancol, Jakarta, gathered more than 1,000 media practitioners from various news agencies across Indonesia, was attended by the President of Indonesia, Joko Widodo.
In his opening remarks, Joko Widodo, also known as Jokowi, touched on several issues concerning the media industry, including transparency in reporting news fairly and impartially, as well as the adaptation of the latest technology in the profession.
Malaysian National News Agency (Bernama) Editor-in-Chief, Nur-ul Afida Kamaludin who is also carrying out the duties and responsibilities of the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) said that Jokowi's remarks should be well-received and appreciated by media practitioners in Malaysia.
Nu-rul who led the media leadership delegation and represented the Ministry of Communications, at the HPN2024 celebration, also said journalists should uphold transparency and fairness in their daily tasks despite having differing views.
"At the same time, I agree with President Jokowi of Indonesia that we need to embrace technological changes and utilise any technology that benefits us," she said when met after the HPN 2024 event.
Meanwhile, ISWAMI Malaysia president Ashwad Ismail who is also the Editor-in-Chief of ASTRO Awani, said efforts should be continued to strengthen the bilateral relationship between the two brotherly countries through ISWAMI programmes.
"We want to see how Indonesia and Malaysia build better understanding with more positive storytelling and learn from each other in aspects such as green economy, digital economy, arts and education. This is what we will look forward for Malaysian-Indonesian journalists," he said.
On Feb 12, a total of 15 journalists from various Malaysian news organisations arrived in Jakarta, Indonesia for the ISWAMI Malaysia's "Jejak Serumpun" 10-day programme, which will end today.
Throughout the media delegation's stay in Jakarta, various visits were conducted, including to the headquarters of DANA Indonesia, The Jakarta Post, Dewan Pers, ANTARA News Agency, the Indonesian Journalists Association, the Ministry of Communications and Informatics of Indonesia, as well as several tourist attractions.
These visits provided Malaysian journalists with the opportunity to share insights with Indonesian media leaders regarding the challenges faced by media industries in both countries, the political landscape in Indonesia, and the future of the media industry.
All participants of the ISWAMI Malaysia delegation are scheduled to depart for home today afternoon.
ISWAMI is a forum for Malaysian-Indonesian journalists established in 2003 as a bridge to enhance media relations between Malaysia and Indonesia to play a role in building prosperity for both countries.
-- BERNAMA
