PUTRAJAYA, Oct 10 — Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil wants the Tabung Kasih@Hawana fund, which was established to assist journalists and media personnel in need, to expand its role to help those who are struggling to make ends meet after a layoff.
He said that with the rapid advancement of technology, some media practitioners have been badly impacted, like losing their jobs or not receiving salaries from their employers.
“I call on Bernama (the Malaysian National News Agency) which is responsible for the Tabung Kasih@Hawana Fund to help journalists who may be struggling after being laid off or losing their jobs in media organisations.
“I know that there are a number of media organisations that are struggling economically, some may lay off a number of journalists...I will try to discuss with the owners (media organisations) about what can be done to help,” Fahmi said.
He was speaking to the press after the ministry's monthly assembly today, which was also attended by Deputy Minister Teo Nie Ching and secretary-general Datuk Mohamad Fauzi Md Isa.
Also present were Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission managing director Datuk Mohd Ali Hanafiah Mohd Yunus, as well as Bernama chief executive officer Nur-ul Afida Kamaludin and editor-in-chief Arul Rajoo Durar Raj.
Fahmi also reminded media organisations not to neglect the welfare of their employees, including ensuring that wages are paid to those who are entitled.
Tabung Kasih@Hawana was set up in conjunction with the Hawana 2023 celebrations to reach out to former and current journalists and media practitioners in need of assistance.
The fund is an initiative by the Communications Ministry and implemented by Bernama.
On another development, the minister said the Malaysian Media Council Bill will be tabled for first reading at the next Parliament session, slated to begin on Monday (October 14).
“Until the council is established, we hope that several immediate issues can be addressed, including the creation of grants that might support some transformation initiatives.
“We are aware that a major company like Google is helping by providing training sessions for more than 30 media organisations, but that may take time. Therefore, I will look into what immediate assistance we can offer to support the media practitioners,” he said.
— Bernama
