Fahmi: Journalists’ Day celebration will see discussions on industry’s future


PUTRAJAYA: This year’s National Journalists’ Day (Hawana) celebrations will serve as a platform to bring together media organisations across Asean, with the aim of strengthening ties, fostering cooperation and identifying the latest challenges in the industry.

Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil (pic) said that Hawana will extend invitations to media practitioners from Asean member states to participate in various programmes in conjunction with Malaysia’s chairmanship of Asean.

“I hope that during Malaysia’s Asean chairmanship, we can welcome our media counterparts from across Asean, besides the official media outlets and other media companies, to Kuala Lumpur.

“This will help us understand the challenges faced by our media counterparts in the region.

“At the same time, I believe that discussions among these media organisations will chart a positive direction for the industry as a whole,” he said after attending the ministry’s monthly assembly yesterday, Bernama reported.

Also present at the assembly were Deputy Communications Minister Teo Nie Ching, the ministry’s secretary-general Datuk Mohamad Fauzi Md Isa and Bernama chief executive officer Datin Paduka Nur-ul Afida Kamaludin.

Fahmi highlighted that one of the major challenges currently faced by the media industry is declining advertising expenditure, as companies shift their advertising budgets to social media platforms.

“Other issues to be discussed include media freedom, the journalism code of ethics and the spread of fake news – which could significantly impact the credibility of both the media industry and its organisations.

“I hope that during Malaysia’s Asean chairmanship, we can get together, engage in discussions and identify potential solutions for the media industry,” he said, adding that the insights gathered from the Hawana discussions could be presented at the Asean Ministers Responsible for Information meeting in Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei, this May.

In his speech, Fahmi expressed confidence that Bernama and Radio Televisyen Malaysia (RTM) are capable of fulfilling their roles as the official media and broadcaster for Malaysa’s Asean chairmanship effectively.

“During Malaysia’s Asean chairmanship, Bernama, as the official media, and RTM, as the official broadcaster, must play their roles, and I am confident they will carry out their duties excellently,” he said.

He also reaffirmed the government’s commitment to ensuring that the media in Malaysia remains free and capable of performing their duties.

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