SHAH ALAM - The National Journalists Day (Hawana) 2023 will see media practitioners across industries nationwide participate throughout a three-day celebration starting May 27.
The annual celebration will be held in Perak this year with the theme "Media Bebas and Selamat, Tunjang Demokrasi" which means that a free and safe media is the backbone of democracy.
The theme was picked to further emphasise the topic of freedom of the press and the safety of journalists in carrying out their duties.
Among the activities that have been planned for the three-day celebration are a treasure hunt, bowling, the Hawana 2023 Dinner, a mini carnival, the Hawana 2023 Exhibition, and a media forum.
On May 28, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim is also expected to grace the pre-celebration event.
Also expected to attend the event were the Deputy Prime Minister, Perak Menteri Besar, Asean countries' ambassadors, media practitioners, and press club members.
May 29 was gazetted as National Journalist Day in conjunction with the publication of the first newspaper edition in Malaysia, Utusan Melayu, on May 29, 1939, which became the first media platform in Malaysia.
On Nov 30, 2021, the government agreed to maintain May 29 each year as National Journalist Day.