Kuala Lumpur: The National Journalists’ Day (HAWANA) 2025, held successfully today, highlights the media’s ongoing dedication to advancing the journalism profession.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, the Malaysian National News Agency (Bernama) chief executive officer Datin Paduka Nur-ul Afida Kamaludin attributed the success of the fifth edition of HAWANA to seven months of meticulous planning by Bernama staff, supported by various entities. She expressed gratitude for the dedicated efforts of all involved, particularly in terms of sponsorship, which ensured the event’s smooth execution.

The event, themed ‘Journalism in the New Era: Embracing AI, Safeguarding Ethics’, was organized by the Ministry of Communications with Bernama as the implementing agency. It saw about 1,000 media practitioners from Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, Japan, Kuwait, and China gather at the World Trade Centre Kuala Lumpur (WTCKL).

Nur-ul Afida also reflected on Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s speech at the event, noting the timely focus on understanding Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology and journalism ethics. She emphasized the importance of integrating technology in journalism while cautioning against over-reliance on AI, advocating its use as a tool rather than a shortcut.