BUTTERWORTH, 20 June — Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has expressed his appreciation to all media practitioners nationwide, especially those who continue to carry out their duties guided by high ethical standards and integrity in disseminating information to the public.
 
Speaking at the official opening of the HAWANA 2026 National Journalists’ Day Summit held at the PICCA Convention Centre @ Arena Butterworth, he acknowledged that the role of media professionals has grown increasingly demanding — particularly amid rapid advances in digital technology and artificial intelligence (AI), which present fresh challenges to the industry.
 
“I wish to convey my gratitude and deep appreciation for the long‑standing service and contributions of Malaysia’s media fraternity,” the Prime Minister stated.
 
He emphasised that media practitioners serve a vital function in strengthening public understanding of national policies and development agendas.
 
“Freedom of expression and the flow of information must always be safeguarded — yet they must be balanced with responsibility and grounded in ethics, to ensure that what is shared remains accurate, authentic and accountable,” he added.
 
Anwar noted that while discussions often centre on economic growth, digital transformation, energy transition and emerging technologies, ethical principles and core values must never be sidelined.
 
“Whether information is true or false, right or misleading — that distinction is determined not merely by facts alone, but by the values and ethics applied. This remains one of our greatest challenges, and also a principle we must actively uphold and practise,” he said further.
 
In a democratic society, he remarked, freedom must be accorded due space — yet it must be exercised responsibly so it is not misused in ways that undermine national stability or public institutions. In an era defined by information proliferation and widespread social media use, responsible reporting enables the public to assess issues clearly and make informed judgments.
 
The summit, themed “Integrity‑Driven Media: The Foundation of Credibility”, brought together over 1 000 media professionals from within Malaysia and abroad, alongside delegations from Timor‑Leste, Cambodia and Laos.
 
Also present were Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow, Minister of Communications Datuk Fahmi Fadzil, Penang State Secretary Datuk Seri Zulkifli Long, Communications Ministry Secretary‑General Datuk Abdul Halim Hamzah, and Timor‑Leste’s Secretary‑General for Social Communications Expedito Loro Dias Ximenes, as well as the Ministry’s Deputy Secretary‑General (Strategic Communications & Creative Industry) Datuk Bahria Mohd Tamil.
 
Representatives from the national news agency Bernama included Chairman Datuk Seri Wong Chun Wai; Chief Executive Officer and HAWANA 2026 Organising Committee Chairperson Datin Paduka Nur‑ul Afida Kamaludin; Editor‑in‑Chief and Deputy Chairperson Arul Rajoo Durar Raj; and Deputy Editor‑in‑Chief (News Services) cum Project Director Mohd Shukri Ishak.
 
During the ceremony, the Prime Minister witnessed the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between Bernama and TATOLI — Timor‑Leste’s national news agency. He also presented the HAWANA 2026 Award to former Director‑General of Broadcasting Malaysia Datuk Suhaimi Sulaiman, and the Special HAWANA 2026 Award posthumously to the late Azlan Idris, former Head of Bernama Radio, in recognition of their outstanding contributions to the development of the national media industry.
 
Prizes were also conferred on the winning teams of the HAWANA‑DBP Pantun Festival 2026: TV3 was named champion, while Bernama took first runner‑up place. In addition, contributions from the Kasih@HAWANA Fund were extended to three media practitioners facing health‑related difficulties, to ease their burden.
 
The event was further enlivened by cultural performances — including a boria presentation by the Penang branch of the National Department for Culture and Arts (JKKN), and musical items by singers Hattan, Khadijah Ibrahim and Haziq Rosebi.