Kuala lumpur: Media practitioners should equip themselves with entrepreneurial skills and a strong understanding of market dynamics, as Malaysia moves towards building a more robust entrepreneurial ecosystem, said Radio Televisyen Malaysia director-general of broadcasting Ashwad Ismail.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Ashwad emphasized the importance of supporting the growth of entrepreneurs in Malaysia, including young journalists and content creators. This aligns with the national objective of strengthening small and medium enterprises' (SMEs) participation and fostering a more innovation-driven economy.

Ashwad highlighted that to become a great entrepreneurial nation, Malaysia needs more than 1.3 million SMEs and at least 25 percent of the population, around seven million people, to be entrepreneurs. He stressed the importance of focusing on young journalists and content creators in acquiring entrepreneurship skills.

Speaking after a sharing session on 'Sustaining Media in Times of Crisis: Challenges and Revenue Realities' at the National Journalists' Day (HAWANA) 2026 Media Forum, Ashwad discussed the role of artificial intelligence (AI). He noted the challenges of gaining public trust and enhancing the effectiveness of mainstream media in helping people make informed decisions during crises.

Ashwad pointed out the necessity of balancing social obligations with the sustainability of the media industry as a business. He urged media players to engage not only the public and stakeholders but also international players in the AI and social media landscape.

He also mentioned the importance of the media industry working collectively with global technology companies to strengthen its voice and adapt to the rapidly changing digital and AI-driven media landscape. Ashwad noted that nearly 40 percent of people now search on AI platforms like ChatGPT and DeepSeek, in addition to Google.

The HAWANA Media Forum, organized by the Malaysian National News Agency (Bernama), gathered heads of media organizations, foreign media representatives in Malaysia, and stakeholders in the national media landscape. The one-day event, held in conjunction with the upcoming HAWANA 2026 celebration on June 20, aimed to encourage more in-depth discussions and meaningful exchanges of ideas.