HAWANA 2025 Bolsters Media's Role In Promoting Information Literacy
GENERAL
KUALA LUMPUR, June 13 (Bernama) -- The National Journalists' Day (HAWANA) 2025 celebration, which kicks off today for a three-day run, serves as a platform to bolster the media's role in promoting information literacy, while also strengthening public engagement through a range of educational, entertainment and interactive activities.
Communications Ministry deputy secretary-general (Telecommunication Infrastructure) Mano Verabathran said HAWANA is not just a platform to recognise media practitioners for delivering accurate information, but also affirms the media's role as a public education agent in an era of information overload.
'We need to educate the public on various issues related to media and information dissemination, including the importance of media literacy, fact-checking, and the dangers of spreading false information which could affect social harmony and national security,' he said when launching the HAWANA 2025 Carnival at Sunway Putra Mall here.
Also present were Malaysian National News Agency (Bernama) chief executive officer Datin Paduka Nur-ul Afida Kamaludin and its editor-in-chief Arul Rajoo Durar Raj, who is also HAWANA 2025 project director.
General manager of On Air Presentation (News & Current Affairs), Media Prima Television Network, Media Prima Berhad, Kamaruddin Mape; Information Department (JaPen) deputy director-general (Digital Content) Erwin Khairul Ahmad; Utusan Borneo Sabah editor-in-chief Datuk Lichong Angkui; and The Borneo Post and Utusan Borneo general manager Phyllis Wong Yang Wong also present at the event.
Mano said that since its inception in 2018, HAWANA has stood as a symbol of recognition for the vital role journalists play in shaping public opinion, defending freedom of expression, and articulating the aspirations of society.
'I would like to extend my congratulations to the organisers, particularly the Communications Ministry and Bernama, for their continued commitment to empowering journalism in Malaysia through inclusive and innovative approaches,' he said.
Additionally, Mano said Bernama's fact-checking desk (MyCheck Malaysia) is an independent initiative by the news agency to educate the public on media literacy, with a focus on issues that impact people's lives and livelihoods.
'More than 400 fact-checking reports have been produced since 2020 and can be read at www.mycheck.my. MyCheck reports are also published on social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, X and TikTok,' he said.
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