HAWANA’S SMEC 2024 TO PRESENT 11 TOPICS ON MEDIA EVOLUTION

23/05/2024 08:47 PM

KUCHING, May 23 (Bernama) – The 2024 National Journalists’ Day (HAWANA 2024) will feature a Sarawak Media Conference (SMeC) 2024 on May 26 and 27 that would present 11 topics, in line with the conference’s theme, “Evolution of Media in the Digital Era”.

Seven distinguished speakers would present the topics at the two-day conference which will be opened by  Sarawak Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg on May 26.

Kuching Division Journalists’ Association (KDJA) in a statement today said SMeC 2024 would be jointly-organised by Sarawak Public Communication Unit (UKAS) and  KDJA, with the support from Angkatan Zaman Mansang (AZAM) Sarawak and Business Events Sarawak.

The first topic would be on "Balancing Act: Freedom of Expression vs Responsible Online Behaviour in Malaysia" to be presented by Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission led by its Head of Centre for Communications Safety Department, Saidatul Ashikin Abu Hassan.

A lecturer from The London School of Economics and Political Science, United Kingdom, Prof Charlie Beckett would present three papers, namely "Building and Maintaining Trust and Confidence in the Media Amidst Digital Disruptions", "AI For Good: How AI can Help Journalism and Media" and "Real Life Examples of AI Applications in Journalism." 

Meanwhile, Singapore Media Academy’s Media and Communications Advisor/Chief Trainer, Augustine Anthuvan would talk on "Mobile Journalism: A Catalyst for Social Impact". 

Canterbury Christ Church University, United Kingdom’s School of Law, Policing and Social Sciences Assoc Prof Jaspal Kaur would dwell on "The Rise of Online Citizen/Netizen Journalism and its Challenge to the Journalism/Media Industry", as well as "Legal And Ethical Questions Around AI in Journalism." 

Malaysian Press Institute (MPI) trainer Munir Anaam would deliberate on "Leveraging Social Media in Engagement with the Community/Public" and "The Rise of Data Journalism and AI Tools". 

From Sarawak’s perspective, Borneo Adventure Malaysia's managing director Philip Yong will deliberate on "Branding Sarawak in the Digital Age", while Sarawak Deputy State Secretary (Operation), Datuk Hii Chang Kee will speak on "The Role of Media in Disseminating Public Information (Sarawak’s Perspective)." 

Sarawak Deputy Minister in the Sarawak's Premier Department (Corporate Affairs, Information and UKAS), Datuk Abdullah Saidol, will deliver his remarks for the conference’s closing ceremony. 

Hailed as the largest gathering of Malaysian journalists with about 1,000 to attend, HAWANA 2024 is organised by the Communications Ministry in collaboration with the Sarawak State Government, with the Malaysian National News Agency (Bernama) being the implementing agency.

-- BERNAMA