Kuala lumpur: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has stressed the importance of responsible reporting in an era of information overload and borderless news dissemination to ensure facts are conveyed accurately, ethically, and without undermining social harmony.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, in a Facebook post marking the National Journalists' Day (HAWANA) today, Anwar emphasized that the role of the media extends beyond merely reporting the news. The media carries a significant responsibility to uphold truth with integrity, credibility, courage, and accountability.

Anwar remarked, "Today, we commemorate National Journalists' Day as a tribute to journalists and media practitioners who have long served as the voice of the people and as one of the key pillars strengthening the nation's democracy." He expressed his hopes that journalists and media practitioners would continue to serve as the voice of the people, a balance to power, and the conscience of the nation.

HAWANA was introduced in 2018 to recognize the contributions of journalists to national development, with May 29 chosen to mark the first publication of Utusan Melayu in 1939. This year, HAWANA carries the theme 'Media Integrity Strengthens Credibility', with the main celebration slated on June 20 in Penang to be officiated by Anwar.