KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 22 — A special RM5 million allocation for National Journalists Day (Hawana) under Budget 2024 is a sign of the government’s appreciation for all media practitioners nationwide, said Bangi MP Syahredzan Johan.
He said he hopes the Hawana allocation is not only for celebrations but for matters of greater significance, like discussions on the future direction of the media and assistance for veteran journalists in need, among others.
“I welcome the RM5 million allocation for Hawana next year. I know Hawana is not new, as it has been celebrated this year too. But the special allocation, to me, shows the government appreciates media practitioners in the country,” Syahredzan said.
He was debating on the Supply Bill 2024 at the committee stage for the Communications and Digital Ministry in the Dewan Rakyat today.
May 29 has been gazetted as National Journalists Day to mark the publication of the first edition of Utusan Melayu on May 29, 1939.
This year’s Hawana celebration was organised by KKD, with its implementation handled by the Malaysian National News Organisation (Bernama).
Meanwhile, Segamat MP R. Yuneswaran said the allocation to Bernama and the Broadcasting Department (RTM) was appropriate to empower the delivery of government policies in various languages through the channels concerned.
Besides focusing efforts on reforming the broadcasting quality of RTM and Bernama in various aspects, including the production quality, RTM and Bernama should be the two main broadcasting platforms of the Madani government that have credibility in delivering news in various languages, including Tamil.
“The important thing is to ensure that whatever goals and latest developments regarding the policies and actions of the Unity Government can be communicated effectively to the community of various races.
“This includes rural communities facing problems subscribing to paid private broadcasting platforms like Astro, and therefore the government should give all the attention and allocation to RTM and Bernama for the government,” he said.
— Bernama
