HAWANA 2026 Celebrates Media Excellence with Expanded Strategic Partnerships
KUALA LUMPUR: The National Journalists’ Day (HAWANA) 2026 celebration has attracted unprecedented support from the corporate and institutional sectors, with 113 strategic partners coming on board this year, reflecting growing recognition of the media industry’s role in nation-building.
Around 300 strategic partners, sponsors and invited guests are expected to attend the HAWANA 2026 Strategic Partners Appreciation Ceremony at a hotel in Kuala Lumpur today.
The event, to be officiated by Deputy Communications Minister Teo Nie Ching, is being held to recognise the contributions and support of organisations that have helped make this year’s HAWANA celebration possible.
Also expected to attend are Communications Ministry Deputy Secretary-General (Strategic Communications and Creative Industry) Datuk Bahria Mohd Tamil, Bernama Chairman Datuk Seri Wong Chun Wai, Bernama Chief Executive Officer Datin Paduka Nur-ul Afida Kamaludin, and Bernama Editor-in-Chief Arul Rajoo Durar Raj.
Bernama Commercial Department Head Mastura Hassan said the number of strategic partners supporting HAWANA has increased significantly from 79 last year to 113 in 2026, highlighting stronger engagement between the media industry and its stakeholders.
She noted that the growing support demonstrates confidence in HAWANA’s role as Malaysia’s premier platform for recognising media excellence and fostering industry collaboration.
This year’s celebration will feature a range of programmes, including the HAWANA 2026 Media Forum, the HAWANA-DBP Pantun Festival, the HAWANA Fun Walk, and Mai RIUH@HAWANA, as well as a Media Dinner hosted by the Yang Dipertua Negeri of Penang, Tun Ramli Ngah Talib.
The highlight of HAWANA 2026 will take place on June 20 at the PICCA Convention Centre @ Arena Butterworth in Penang, where Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim is scheduled to officiate the national-level celebration.
Carrying the theme “Media Integrity, Foundation of Credibility”, HAWANA 2026 aims to strengthen professionalism, ethics and public trust in journalism amid an increasingly complex and rapidly evolving communications landscape.
The event is expected to gather approximately 1,000 media practitioners from Malaysia and abroad, providing a strategic platform for industry leaders, journalists and policymakers to exchange ideas and discuss the future direction of journalism.
Organised by the Communications Ministry with Bernama serving as the implementing agency, HAWANA remains Malaysia’s flagship event dedicated to recognising the dedication, resilience and professionalism of media practitioners across the country.
-Bernama