MELAKA - Karangkraf Media Group (Karangkraf) was selected as the recipient of the National Journalist Day (Hawana) Award 2022 at the celebration here today.
After two years of hiatus due to Covid-19, Hawana 2022 took place in the historical state and saw Karangkraf - which had been operating for 40 years - bringing home a trophy, certificate and RM10,000 cash prize.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob presented the award to Karangkraf Group Chairman Datuk Dr Hussamuddin Yaacub.
Among the criteria to be selected as the recipient of the award was to be registered and show excellent works, report on in-depth issues, be high in quality and brought impact during the year reviewed.
The recipients should also practice good governance and journalistic values, besides contributing to the development of the journalism and media industry in the country, while the work involved should contribute to human development, peace and prosperity.
The Karangkraf Group made its first debut in 1978 and launched its Children’s Weekly in 1990. The group later expanded its business scope with the publication of several book genres through Alaf 21 and Karya Bestari.
In 2006, Karangkraf produced a regional compact newspaper, Sinar Harian which later made history as the fastest growing newspaper in Malaysia.
Now the media group stands tall in the industry with 13 magazine issues, novel publishing, printing, Internet media channels and newspaper coverage.
In 2015, Karangkraf introduced Malaysia ‘Ngaji’ programme followed by the World #QuranHour Campaign in 2016 as well as a series of chains such as Malaysia #QuranHour, Merdeka #QuranHour and World #QuranConvention which cumulatively recorded 2,475 billion entries.
In February 2021, an aggressive anti-corruption initiative was introduced by the group through #RasuahBusters involving a combination of media, individuals, organisations and private companies with collaboration now involving 550 strategic partners.
The Hawana 2022 Award aims to recognise and honour professional journalists, individuals or organisations who made significant contributions not only in the field of journalism but in shaping the minds of the people through the works produced.
May 29 was gazetted as National Journalist Day in conjunction with the first publication of a newspaper in Malaysia, Utusan Melayu on May 29, 1939, which became the first media platform in Malaysia.
The event was first held on April 11, 2018 at the Matrade Kuala Lumpur Exhibition and Convention Center.
The inaugural celebration themed 'Defending the Nation, Building the Nation' was attended by about 1,000 media practitioners from all over the country.
On Nov 30, 2021, the government agreed to maintain May 29 each year as National Journalist Day. - BERNAMA