Kuala Lumpur: The National Journalists' Day (HAWANA) 2025 celebration, which kicks off today for a three-day run, serves as a platform to bolster the media's role in promoting information literacy while also strengthening public engagement through a range of educational, entertainment, and interactive activities. Communications Ministry deputy secretary-general (Telecommunication Infrastructure) Mano Verabathran emphasized that HAWANA is not just a platform to recognize media practitioners for delivering accurate information but also affirms the media's role as a public education agent in an era of information overload.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Mano stated the need to educate the public on issues related to media and information dissemination, including the importance of media literacy, fact-checking, and the dangers of spreading false information, which could affect social harmony and national security. He made these remarks during the launch of the HAWANA 2025 Carnival at Sunway Putra Mall. The event was also attended by Malaysian National News Agency (Bernama) chief executive officer Datin Paduka Nur-ul Afida Kamaludin, its editor-in-chief Arul Rajoo Durar Raj, and other notable media figures.
Mano highlighted that since its inception in 2018, HAWANA has stood as a symbol of recognition for the vital role journalists play in shaping public opinion, defending freedom of expression, and articulating the aspirations of society. He extended congratulations to the Communications Ministry and Bernama for their commitment to empowering journalism in Malaysia through inclusive and innovative approaches.
Additionally, Mano mentioned Bernama's fact-checking desk, MyCheck Malaysia, as an independent initiative to educate the public on media literacy with a focus on issues impacting people's lives and livelihoods. Over 400 fact-checking reports have been produced since 2020, available on www.mycheck.my and social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, X, and TikTok.
The three-day HAWANA 2025 Carnival features activities such as casual talks, quizzes, performances, colouring sessions, meet and greet events, and workshops targeting teenagers and senior citizens. Visitors can experience broadcasting at the media interactive zone, featuring booths by Radio Televisyen Malaysia (RTM), Media Prima Berhad, Astro, and TV AlHijrah. Interactive features include Bernama TV's HAWANA Mini Studio, Bernama Radio's 'Breaking News' game, and MCMC's 'Kempen Internet Selamat' exhibition.
The exhibition and interactive booths showcase digital broadcasting technology, photo book sales, and media archives. The carnival also includes participation from government agencies such as the Information Department and Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka (DBP), alongside stalls run by young entrepreneurs and a community market involving media cooperatives, NGOs, and journalist alumni.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim is scheduled to launch the main event of HAWANA 2025 at the World Trade Centre Kuala Lumpur (WTCKL) tomorrow.