Hawana 2023 celebration key to continued media freedom, says senior editor

KUALA LUMPUR: The 2023 National Journalists’ Day (Hawana) celebration in Ipoh, Perak at the end of the month is significant in ensuring the continued freedom of the media and its direction in the country, says the organising committee's Lichong Angkui.

The Utusan Borneo Sabah chief editor said local media players were looking forward to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s speech during the celebration as he would be speaking on the unity government’s support of media freedoms and safety to a large gathering of practitioners.

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"The gathering will surely be a discussion about the media’s survival and media freedom in the country.

"It is significant in terms of media freedom and safety after Malaysia jumped 40 ranks to 73rd on the 2023 World Media Freedom Index based on the Reporters Without Borders (RSF) report," he said on Friday (May 12).

He noted that Malaysia scored 62.83 points this time compared to 51.55 points the previous year, when it was ranked 113th.

Malaysia is now ranked highest among Asean countries, ahead of Thailand in 106th place, Indonesia (108th), Singapore (129th), the Philippines (132nd), Brunei (142nd), Cambodia (147th), Laos (160th), Myanmar (173rd) and Vietnam (178th).

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Lichong said media freedom and safety were often viewed as a subjective matter, with varying views and perceptions.

"Some are of the view that freedom has no absolutes, so there will be debates and polemics, what more if it’s linked to being the basis of democracy,” he said in expressing hope that Hawana 2023 would be the best platform for discussions and finding common ground on the issue.

He also expressed his appreciation for the Communications and Digital Ministry’s commitment to playing a proactive role in meeting the challenges of media and journalism in the country.

This included its efforts to realise the establishment of the Malaysian Media Council to protect the rights of journalists.

The ministry’s strong support in ensuring Hawana 2023's success reflected the government’s recognition and appreciation of media practitioners, he noted.

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On the participation of Sabah and Sarawak media practitioners, Lichong said it was a clear indicator of their commitment to the profession's struggles.

He said news outlets have long been established there, so being across the South China Sea should not be an obstacle for them to be included in the celebrations.

"We hope Sabah and Sarawak journalists will be active in Hawana and turn it into a common platform to fight for the entire media community,” he said. – Bernama