MALAYSIA, KUALA LUMPUR, June 14, 2025 — Prime Minister Dato’ Seri Anwar Ibrahim officiated the National Journalists’ Day (HAWANA) 2025 Summit, held from June 13 to 15 at the World Trade Centre Kuala Lumpur (WTCKL). Organized by the Ministry of Communications through the Malaysian National News Agency (BERNAMA), the event drew over 1,000 media practitioners, representatives from local press associations, and delegates from ASEAN countries.
Under the theme “Journalism in the New Era: Balancing AI and Ethics,” HAWANA 2025 featured engaging activities such as the HAWANA-DBP Pantun Festival, a carnival with a mini BERNAMA studio, pocket talks, New Straits Times Press Berhad’s digital newspaper giveaways, and news-reading challenges by Media Prima Berhad. The carnival showcased 20 exhibition booths, including those from BERNAMA, Radio Televisyen Malaysia (RTM), the Malaysian Information Department (JAPEN), the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC), Astro, and Media Prima Berhad.
A key highlight was the HAWANA 2025 Forum on June 14, titled “Malaysian Media Council: Regulator or Media Protector?” followed by a session on “AI & Media: Tool, Threat or Opportunity?” Organized by BERNAMA and the Malaysian Press Institute (MPI), the forum provided a platform for the Malaysian Media Council (MMM) Protem Committee to discuss the future of media following the passage of the Malaysian Media Council Bill 2024 in Parliament in February 2025.
The Prime Minister presented the HAWANA 2025 Special Award and HAWANA 2025 Award to veteran journalists, recognizing their contributions and dedication. Contributions from the Tabung Kasih@HAWANA fund were also handed over to three veteran journalists facing health challenges, alongside prizes for winners of the HAWANA-DBP Pantun Festival 2025.
May 29 is gazetted as National Journalists’ Day, commemorating the first publication of Utusan Melayu in 1939. HAWANA 2025 celebrations will continue with events like media sports activities and outreach programs at premier polytechnics in Selangor, Perak, and Johor to inspire young people to pursue journalism.
In attendance were Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Federal Territories) Datuk Seri Dr. Zaliha Mustafa, Deputy Communications Minister Teo Nie Ching, Communications Ministry Secretary-General Datuk Mohamad Fauzi bin Md Isa, BERNAMA Chairman Datuk Seri Wong Chun Wai, and BERNAMA Chief Executive Officer Datin Paduka Nur-ul Afida Kamaludin.
