IPOH, May 28 – The celebration of National Journalists’ Day (HAWANA) 2023 kicked off today in Ipoh, honoring the invaluable role of media practitioners in Malaysia. Themed “Free Media, Pillar of Democracy,” the week-long celebration, which runs until May 29, commenced with the exciting “Media Hunt Hawana” treasure hunt competition, featuring approximately 150 participants. At 8 o’clock yesterday morning, nearly 40 vehicles departed from the headquarters of the National News Organization of Malaysia (Bernama) in Kuala Lumpur, with Deputy Minister of Communications and Digital, Teo Ni Ching, flagging off the event.
The convoy is expected to reach Mydin Mall Meru at 3 pm yesterday, where the Mini Hawana Carnival will take place, offering a plethora of engaging activities for visitors. Running from 10 am to 6 pm, the carnival promises an array of events such as interactive sessions with Bernama personalities, “sayadigital” pocket talk sessions, meet-and-greet sessions with local artists and celebrities, coloring competitions, and exciting lucky draws with attractive prizes. The carnival will also host various agencies including the Malaysian Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC), RTM, CyberSecurity Malaysia, the Federation of Sarawak Journalists Associations (Media Sarawak), the Department of Information (JaPen), Tourism Perak, Tourism Selama, and the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC).
As part of the festivities, a bowling tournament will take place at 1 pm yesterday at Ipoh Bowl, Aeon Kinta City. The tournament will feature two categories: team competitions, with approximately 100 media practitioners representing 18 teams, including nine from Perak, and an official category. The significance of May 29 stems from its recognition as National Journalists’ Day, commemorating the inaugural edition of the Utusan Melayu newspaper, published on May 29, 1939. HAWANA, initiated on April 11, 2018, at the Matrade Exhibition and Convention Center in Kuala Lumpur, was suspended for two years due to the COVID-19 pandemic before resuming in Melaka last year.
HAWANA serves as a platform to raise public awareness about the media profession, allowing media practitioners to share their opinions and ideas. The event aims to establish itself as a prominent annual event on the Malaysian calendar, promoting the selected host cities for HAWANA while bolstering the development and growth of the Malaysian media industry. Recognizing the crucial role of the media in the country’s development, unity, and the well-being of its citizens, the celebration of HAWANA showcases Malaysia’s heritage, culture, and uniqueness.
Furthermore, it serves as an opportunity to promote government products and services while addressing the need for accurate and reliable information, both domestically and internationally. HAWANA 2023 promises to be a memorable event, demonstrating appreciation for media practitioners and their significant contributions to Malaysian society. The week-long celebration will continue to foster the spirit of journalism, upholding its integrity and fighting against fake news, while preserving and recognizing journalism as a national institution.
