KUALA LUMPUR, May 12 — The 2023 National Journalists’ Day (Hawana) celebrations in Ipoh, Perak at the end of the month is significant in ensuring the continued freedom of the media and its direction in the country, Utusan Borneo Sabah chief editor Lichong Angkui said.
He said local media were focused on the theme of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s speech during the highlight of the celebrations, about how the Unity Government’s support of media freedoms and safety as it was the first time he would be speaking to the largest gathering of media practitioners.
“The Hawana 2023 gathering will surely be a discussion on the media’s survival and direction of media freedom in the country.
“It is very significant in terms of media freedom and safety after Malaysia jumped 40 ranks to 73 on the 2023 World Media Freedom Index based on the Reporters Without Borders (RSF) report,” he told Bernama today, adding that Malaysia recorded 62.83 points compared to 51.55 points (113rd ranked) the previous year.
Malaysia is now ranked highest among Association of South East Asian Nations (Asean) countries, ahead of Thailand in 106th place, Indonesia (108), Singapore (129), the Philippines (132), Brunei (142), Cambodia (147), Laos (160), Myanmar (173) and Vietnam (178).
A Hawana 2023 committee member, Lichong said that media freedom and safety were often viewed as a subjective issue, with many having very different views and perceptions.
“Some are of the view that freedom has no absolutes, so there will be debates and polemics, what more if it’s linked to being the basis of democracy,” he said, expressing the hope that Hawana 2023 would be the best platform to hold discussions and find common ground on the issue of media freedom and safety.
Lichong also expressed his appreciation towards the Communications and Digital Ministry’s (KKD) commitment to adopt a proactive role in meeting the challenges of media and journalism in the country, including its stand in realising the establishment of the Malaysian Media Council to protect the rights of journalists.
The ministry’s strong support in ensuring Hawana 2023 is successful reflects the government’s recognition and appreciation towards media practitioners in the country.
On Sabah and Sarawak media practitioners participating in Hawana 2023, Lichong said it was a clear indicator of their commitment to the joint struggle to bring journalism into the mainstream.
News outlets have long been established in East Malaysia, so it would not be right for them to be ignored even though they were located across the South China Sea.
“We hope that Sabah and Sarawak journalists and media practitioners will be active in Hawana and turn it into a common platform to fight for the entire media community,” he said.
— Bernama
