HAWANA 2025: Forging A New Chapter In Elevating Journalism In The Digital Era

GENERAL
By Syed Iylia Hariz Al-Qadri Syed Izman
KUALA LUMPUR, June 15 (Bernama) -- The National Journalists' Day (HAWANA) 2025, now in its fifth edition, continues to be a platform for championing the journalism profession while acting as a catalyst for a more progressive and responsible media transformation.
Carrying the theme 'Journalism in the New Era: Embracing AI, Safeguarding Ethics', the HAWANA 2025 celebration highlight yesterday marked a historic moment with the immediate enforcement of the Malaysian Media Council (MMC) Act 2024 and the announcement of 12 members of MMC's Founding Board.
The announcement was made by Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil before 1,000 local and international media practitioners at the event officiated by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. Also present were Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Federal Territories) Datuk Seri Dr Zaliha Mustafa and Deputy Communications Minister Teo Nie Ching.
Among the attendees were Communications Ministry Secretary-General Datuk Mohamad Fauzi Md Isa, Malaysian National News Agency (Bernama) Chairman Datuk Seri Wong Chun Wai, Bernama Chief Executive Officer Datin Paduka Nur-ul Afida Kamaludin, and Bernama Editor-in-Chief Arul Rajoo Durar Raj, who is also HAWANA 2025 Project Director.
The enforcement of the Act marks the culmination of years of discussions to establish a self-regulatory body that empowers media practitioners while ensuring accountability and addressing public concerns over media practices.
Responding to the voices of the media community, HAWANA 2025 also saw the continuation of the Self-Employment Social Security Scheme (SKSPS) under the Social Security Organisation (PERKESO) for freelance media workers.
First announced during HAWANA in Sarawak last year, the scheme is extended this year with an allocation of RM37,170.
This initiative made possible through the synergy between Bernama and PERKESO, has so far benefited 531 freelance media workers.

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