Hawana: The National Journalists' Day (HAWANA) celebrations this year will serve as a platform to bring together media organisations from across ASEAN, aiming to strengthen ties and cooperation while identifying the latest challenges in the industry. Minister of Communications Fahmi Fadzil revealed that HAWANA would invite media practitioners from ASEAN member states to participate in various programmes in conjunction with Malaysia's ASEAN chairmanship.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Fahmi expressed his hope for active participation from media counterparts across ASEAN during Malaysia's chairmanship. He emphasized the importance of understanding the challenges faced by media organisations in the region and anticipated that discussions at HAWANA would help chart a positive direction for the industry.

Fahmi shared these insights with reporters after attending the monthly assembly of the Ministry of Communications, which was also attended by his deputy, Teo Nie Ching. The ministry's secretary-general Datuk Mohamad Fauzi Md Isa and the Malaysian National News Agency (Bernama) chief executive officer Datin Paduka Nur-ul Afida Kamaludin were also present.

Fahmi highlighted current challenges in the media industry, such as declining advertising expenditure as companies shift their budgets to social media platforms. He also pointed out issues related to media freedom, journalism ethics, and the spread of fake news, which significantly impact the credibility of media organisations.

Furthermore, Fahmi mentioned that discussions at HAWANA could identify potential solutions for these challenges and that the information gathered could be presented at the ASEAN Ministers Responsible for Information (AMRI) meeting in Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei, later in May.

He also expressed confidence in Bernama and Radio Televisyen Malaysia (RTM) in fulfilling their roles as the official media and broadcaster for ASEAN. He stressed the government's commitment to ensuring a free and capable media environment in Malaysia.

Fahmi had previously announced Bernama's appointment as the Official Media and Coordinator for the International Media Centre for the ASEAN Summit 2025, with RTM as the Official Broadcaster.