PM to join over 1,000 media practitioners at National Journalists’ Day celebration

KUALA LUMPUR: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak is scheduled to join over 1,000 local media practitioners at the inaugural National Journalists’ Day ( Hawana) celebration at the Matrade Convention and Exhibition Centre here on April 11.

The event is also expected to be attended by media practitioners from several Asean member countries.

According to the organising committee’s statement, among the highlights of the event, themed ‘Championing the People, Building the Nation’, would be the issuance of a declaration that underlines the direction of the journalism and media industry in the country, and the presentation of the Tokoh Hawana Award to the individual who had contributed a lot to the development of the journalism industry.

Najib is also expected to participate in a dialogue with media practitioners at the event, scheduled to begin at 4 pm, the statement said.

Hawana is being organised with the aim to give the due recognition to the role of the media in developing the country and strengthening social unity.

Several countries, such as China and Indonesia, have been celebrating their own Press Day and giving official recognition to the deeds and contributions made by members of the press on yearly basis.

“Malaysia is now following suit and it is hoped that Hawana will be made one of the important annual media event in country,” the statement said.

The event is also supported by Communications and Multimedia Minister Datuk Seri Dr Salleh Said Keruak after attending the Indonesian National Press Day 2018 celebration in Padang last February, and in Ambon in February 2017. — Bernama