HAWANA 2026 Forum Gathers Media Practitioners To Address Digital Era Challenges

KUALA LUMPUR, May 7 -- More than 200 media practitioners, including academics, public relations practitioners, as well as students from public and private universities, are gathering in the capital today to attend the HAWANA 2026 Media Forum, which focuses on the sustainability challenges of the media industry in the era of digitalisation and artificial intelligence (AI). The event, organised by the Malaysian National News Agency (Bernama), also brings together heads of media organisations, including those from Sabah and Sarawak, representatives of foreign media agencies in Malaysia, as well as various stakeholders in the national media landscape. The forum will be officiated by Deputy Communications Minister Teo Nie Ching. Malaysian media figures, namely Star Media Group Berhad Chief Content Officer Datin Esther Ng; Media Prima Berhad Deputy Group Managing Editor (News and Current Affairs) Farrah Naz Abd Karim; and Radio Televisyen Malaysia (RTM) Director-General of Broadcasting Ashwad Ismail, will share their views in the first session titled “Sustaining Media in Times of Crisis: Challenges and Revenue Realities”. The second session, titled “How Journalists Navigate the Evolving Media Landscape”, will feature Inspirer Extraordinaire Datuk Suhaimi Sulaiman; Sin Chew Media Corporation Berhad Group Editor-in-Chief Datuk Kuik Cheng Kang; Kuching Division Journalists Association President Ronnie Teo Teck Wei; and Sabah Journalists Association President Mariah Doksil as panellists. Meanwhile, the third session titled “Shaping the Future of Malaysian Media in the Digital and AI Era” will feature Free Malaysia Today Managing Director Azeem Abu Bakar; Cloud Solution Architect at Huawei Malaysia Cheah Chern Eu; as well as digital transformation and AI expert Charles Gregory. For the first time, the HAWANA Media Forum is being held as a one-day event to encourage more in-depth discussions and meaningful exchange of ideas. The HAWANA 2026 Media Forum is held in conjunction with the National Journalists’ Day (HAWANA) 2026 celebration on June 20. -- BERNAMA

KUALA LUMPUR, May 7 — More than 200 media practitioners, including academics, public relations practitioners, as well as students from public and private universities, are gathering in the capital today to attend the HAWANA 2026 Media Forum, which focuses on the sustainability challenges of the media industry in the era of digitalisation and artificial intelligence […]

‘Media Integrity Strengthens Credibility’ Theme Of HAWANA 2026 Celebration In Penang

KUALA LUMPUR, May 6 -- The National Journalists’ Day (HAWANA) 2026 celebration, set for June 20 in Penang, will adopt the theme ‘Media Integrity Strengthens Credibility’ to enhance the role of media practitioners in national development. Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil said the main event, held annually to honour media practitioners, will be graced by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim at the Penang International Convention and Exhibition Centre. He said the theme also aligns with the government’s efforts to enhance the quality of information dissemination and public trust in media institutions. “The official HAWANA 2026 logo features the iconic Penang Bridge, symbolising the host state’s rich history, heritage and modernity. “Overall, the logo reflects HAWANA’s aspiration as a unifying platform for the media fraternity and society in supporting inclusive and sustainable national development,” he said at a weekly press conference in Angkasapuri today. Also present were Deputy Minister Teo Nie Ching, ministry secretary-general Datuk Abdul Halim Hamzah, Malaysian National News Agency (Bernama) chief executive officer Datin Paduka Nur-ul Afida Kamaludin and deputy editor-in-chief of news service Mohd Shukri Ishak, as well as Radio Televisyen Malaysia director-general Ashwad Ismail. Fahmi, who is also the MADANI Government spokesperson, said activities for this year’s HAWANA celebration will begin with the Media Forum in Kuala Lumpur tomorrow to discuss current industry challenges. Highlights include the HAWANA-DBP Pantun Festival with Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka on May 9, a Strategic Partners Engagement (June 4), the HAWANA Fun Walk (June 14), Mai RIUH@HAWANA (June 19-21), HAWANA Sports Carnival (July to October) and the HAWANA Campus Roadshow (July to October). He said that a range of activities has been planned around the main event in Penang to ensure broad participation from local and international media practitioners. Officially celebrated annually on May 29, HAWANA is the largest gathering of Malaysian journalists, aimed at recognising the media’s role in shaping public opinion and serving as a bridge between the people and the government. This year marks the sixth edition of the event, following last year’s celebration in Kuala Lumpur. -- BERNAMA

KUALA LUMPUR, May 6 — The National Journalists’ Day (HAWANA) 2026 celebration, set for June 20 in Penang, will adopt the theme ‘Media Integrity Strengthens Credibility’ to enhance the role of media practitioners in national development. Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil said the main event, held annually to honour media practitioners, will be graced by […]