BY NURFARAHIN OKI, NUR ATIQAH QURATULAINI and IDA NADHIRAH
KUCHING: National Journalists Day (HAWANA) is a day dedicated to honouring the hard work and dedication of journalists.
Journalists often work tirelessly under challenging conditions to bring news and information to the public, risking their own safety and sometimes facing backlash for their reporting.
Aden Nagrace, a 57-year-old Editor in Chief, pointed out that this is the first time Hawana is being observed outside Kuala Lumpur and hopes it will not be the last.
“I hope they will continue to rotate it among the states like in KL, Sabah and Sarawak, at least the reporters here or outside the peninsula will be able to experience it and be more involved in organising and hosting Hawana,” he said.
He said this time while all the initiators are involved the problem is some of the associations have been left out.
“By right, because it’s Hawana they should give priority to all journalist-based associations to be involved.
“I hope the next Hawana will have more programmes, apart from just exhibitions, maybe something that will really benefit the media fraternity,”he said.
Aden also hopes the government will get involved, as far as Sarawak is concerned, in terms of salaries in the industry.
“Maybe it’s time for the owners of the local media and organisations to really look into that.
“So that it will not only improve, but will also help in the long run to improve the quality of our reporters and all that,” he said.
Clement Erik Wong, a 31-year-old Assistant Digital Editor, shared insights into his career with New Sarawak Tribune.
He started as a junior reporter before taking on his current role.
“As an Assistant Digital Editor, I am responsible for ensuring that our online content is accurate, engaging and timely, this involves not only proofreading and editing articles but also coordinating with reporters and photographers to ensure a smooth workflow,” he said.
For the upcoming Hawana, he hopes to see a stronger focus on the role of digital journalism and the challenges that come with it.
“Given the rapid digitalisation of news, it would be beneficial to have more discussions and workshops on how journalists can leverage new technologies to improve their reporting and reach wider audiences,” he said.
He also looks forward to policies that provide better healthcare support for media professionals.
“The nature of our work can be quite stressful and it’s essential to have access to mental health resources and medical care,” he said.
Clement added another critical aspect is the unionisation of media workers as strong unions can advocate for the rights and welfare of journalists, ensuring fair wages, job security and safe working conditions.
“I hope to see more support for unionisation efforts within the industry, especially in Sarawak, as this can significantly improve the overall work environment and protect journalists from exploitation and undue pressure,” he explained.
As for reporter Fasiha Kushiri, 34, she started her career as a translator and a sub-editor, and this previous experience gave her an invaluable insight into the world of journalism.
“Being a journalist allows you to make a difference by informing the public and holding those in power accountable and it is a career that offers a sense of fulfillment in uncovering the truth and giving a voice to the voiceless.”
She added that as a reporter, for the upcoming Hawana, she hopes to see a focus on celebrating the achievements within the media industry while also addressing the challenges they face.
“It would be encouraging to see a platform that promotes journalistic integrity, innovation, and collaboration among media professionals,” she said.
As for 29-year-old reporter Tiffany Yeo, the best part of being a reporter is meeting new people which means making new friends and reconnecting with old ones through her line of work.
“I get to talk to people from all spectrums of life, from musicians and artists to politicians and photographers,” she said.
Tiffany started her career as a Sub-Editor with New Sarawak Tribune and now writes for BorneoTalk.
Reflecting on her time at New Sarawak Tribune, she recalled editing news, arranging layouts, and working on various sections of the newspaper.
“When I was still with Tribune, I edited news sent in by reporters and even arranged the layout of news including the front page and other sections of the newspaper including World News, Business and Sports,” she said.
As for Mohd Neenatul Aizal Jabni, being a successful reporter means adhering to journalistic ethics, being competent in writing, and hopefully being an inspiration for the next generation.
Aizal said when he attended his first function back in 2022, he was nervous and clueless about what he should do, but after learning from senior reporters, he quickly grasped the art of writing news.
He said the time factor is the most important and the most challenging for reporters.
