JOURNALISTS' DAY. Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim speaking at the National Journalists' Day 2024 (HAWANA 2024) celebration at the Waterfront Hotel in Kuching, Sarawak state, Malaysia on May 27, 2024. HAWANA is the largest gathering of Malaysian media practitioners. (PNA photo)
MANILA – Malaysian Prime Minister (PM) Anwar Ibrahim has granted MYR 1 million (USD212,450) to its National News Agency (Bernama) Center for Excellence to train media practitioners on the use of artificial intelligence (AI) as a tool in their profession.
Speaking at the National Journalists' Day 2024 (HAWANA 2024) celebration at the Waterfront Hotel in Kuching, Sarawak state, on May 27, the PM stated that the allocation was in line with the call for the media to explore and master the use of technology, including AI, to facilitate their tasks.
According to a Bernama news report, the state news agency is responsible for providing training programs for its staff, government agencies, and corporate entities. It also manages applications from students of higher learning institutions to undergo industrial training within the organization.
"We ask Bernama to coordinate several activities. Bernama Center for Excellence is requested to expand courses and training, especially in the AI technology for media practitioners." the Prime Minister said in his speech, the highlight of the HAWANA 2024 celebration in Kuching.
HAWANA is the largest gathering of Malaysian media practitioners with this year's "Ethics the Core of Sustainable Journalism" theme.
This year's event also saw journalists from other countries such as Singapore, Indonesia, the Philippines, Brunei, Vietnam, Cambodia, Timor Leste, China, the Republic of Korea, Qatar, France, and Kuwait in attendance.
The Prime Minister met with foreign journalists and answered several questions on press freedom and geo-political issues before he gave his speech.
Sarawak Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg and Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil also met the international media representatives.
Fadzil opened the HAWANA 2024 celebrations with an exhibition at the Plaza Merdeka with the participation of 18 agencies in Sarawak on May 25.
Citing the rise of digital media, the minister, said journalism skills these days involve more than writing, "the ability to tell stories through multimedia and data journalism" is now a must.
However, Fadzil reminded the press, not to compromise their "journalistic integrity and principles" while practicing with modern tools in this digital era.
HAWANA was organized by the Ministry of Communications in collaboration with the Sarawak state government and Bernama as the implementing agency.
This year's celebration was held alongside the Sarawak Media Conference.
According to Bernama, May 29 is gazetted as National Journalists Day in conjunction with the publication of the first edition of the Utusan Melayu on May 29, 1939. It is aimed at celebrating the contributions of media practitioners. (PNA)
