Butterworth: The Malaysian Media Council (MMC) today hosted a dinner and get-to-know-you session with media practitioners from the northern region in conjunction with the National Journalists' Day (HAWANA) 2026 celebration. MMC secretary Radzi Razak stated that the session, which gathered over 50 media practitioners from Penang, Kedah, Perak, and Perlis, as well as MMC board members and secretariat staff, was designed to bring the council closer to media practitioners outside the Klang Valley, providing an opportunity for interaction in a more relaxed and open setting.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Radzi Razak emphasized the rarity of such visits to the northern region, noting the coincidental timing with the HAWANA highlight event at the PICCAArena Butterworth Convention Centre. He explained that this gathering allowed media practitioners to speak directly with MMC representatives about any issues or challenges they face. The session was also a chance for the new MMC leadership, following the appointment of chairman Tan Sri Nallini Pathmanathan, to informally meet with media practitioners.
Radzi highlighted the importance of these programs in ensuring that the MMC is seen as a representative body for the media community nationwide, rather than being perceived as exclusive to Kuala Lumpur. By engaging with different regions, the MMC aims to help media practitioners in every state understand the council's role and functions better.
The MMC plans to continue these engagement sessions in other regions, starting with next month's Sarawak Media Conference. Radzi added that this approach not only strengthens ties among media practitioners but also creates opportunities for bilateral dialogue on current developments and challenges in the media industry.
Earlier today, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim officiated the HAWANA 2026 highlight event, which brought together 1,000 media practitioners from Malaysia and abroad. With the theme 'Media Integrity Strengthens Credibility', HAWANA 2026 was organized by the Ministry of Communications, with the Malaysian National News Agency (Bernama) serving as the implementing agency, recognizing the contributions, diligence, and professionalism of media practitioners in the country.