KUCHING: Foreign journalists participating in the 2024 National Journalists’ Day (HAWANA) celebration, which will begin tomorrow, have expressed hope to learn best journalism practices and gain valuable knowledge from the three-day event.
Information officer from Brunei Mohamad Rainie Durani said he wants to learn more about the best practices of media practitioners in Malaysia to remain relevant and competitive.
‘As a representative from Brunei Darussalam, I want to learn the best practices practised by my Malaysian media colleagues in facing current challenges, especially with the rise of ‘online citizen’,’ he told Bernama today.
He noted that the presence of the ‘digital community’ that frequently shares real-time events is among the challenges faced by journalists today, with public sharing often being disseminated faster, especially on social media platforms.
‘This is a major challenge for official news agencies to remain relevant and competitive, to the extent that it sometimes creates a sense of di
scomfort among the public,’ he said.
This has contributed to the increased importance of data journalism for the accuracy of facts and information, said Mohamad Rainie.
‘Journalists play a very significant role in highlighting current issues and news that can provide value and benefits to readers.
‘Today’s society wants more accurate information related to events, as most people are now able to evaluate the information themselves,’ he added.
Meanwhile, Indonesia’s national news agency (ANTARA) correspondent Virna Puspa Setyorini said topics relevant to the current situation should be discussed more inclusively in the field of journalism.
‘We cannot avoid the advances in information and communication technology and at the same time, must ensure that the code of ethics is maintained for quality and responsible journalism.
‘I hope we will be able to take home valuable lessons, solutions, ideas for adapting to various changes in the world of journalism or media from the discussion during the conference in c
onjunction with HAWANA 2024,’ she said.
HAWANA 2024, themed ‘Etika Teras Kewartawanan Mapan’, is the largest gathering of Malaysian journalists, and the highlight of the celebration will be officiated by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim on May 27.
It is organised by the Communications Ministry in collaboration with the Sarawak state government, with Bernama as the implementing agency.
HAWANA was first held in the federal capital in 2018, followed by subsequent celebrations in Melaka (2022) and Perak (2023).
The date of May 29 was chosen as National Journalists’ Day to commemorate the first publication of the Utusan Melayu newspaper on May 29, 1939.
Source: BERNAMA News Agency