HAWANA 2026: From Newsroom To Business World – Media Professionals Forge A 'Second Career'

PUTRAJAYA, June 7 (Bernama) -- Driven by rapid shifts in the media landscape, mounting living costs, and the rise of digital technology, some media practitioners are now building a ‘second career’ through entrepreneurship to supplement their income without leaving their primary profession.

For most journalists, holidays are usually a time to rest after the daily rush of chasing deadlines, attending press conferences and completing news reports.

But for Malay Mail photographer Muhammad Sayuti Zainudin, 36, his days off are now filled with running a small coffee catering business alongside his wife, Siti Sofia Md Nasir, 39, who is also a journalist at Media Selangor.

The couple has chosen coffee through their brand, Kopi Tanjong, as their second source of income, not just to pursue a passion, but as a practical strategy to cope with the rising cost of living in the Klang Valley.

Recalling how the business began, Muhammad Sayuti shared that their deep love for coffee and the cafe-hopping habit they picked up while working in Penang led them to experiment with various coffee bean varieties. Then, in 2022, his wife suggested they try selling on a small scale right in their neighborhood.

"Thankfully, it was well received by the neighbours. Since then, we’ve never looked back and have continued growing this business step by step," he told Bernama in conjunction with the 2026 National Journalists' Day (HAWANA) celebrations here today.

However, he admits that the biggest challenge is time management. Holidays that were once reserved for family now have to be organised more systematically to ensure a balance between responsibilities to customers and to his loved ones.

Muhammad Sayuti says his experience as a media practitioner has helped grow the business, particularly in areas like communication, customer networking and promotion through social media and word-of-mouth.

"Every time we put on our aprons, we see ourselves as business owners, not media people. But in truth, both fields demand high levels of discipline and integrity," he says, stressing that media practitioners must adapt to industry changes without compromising journalistic principles.

For Wan Anis Ilyani Wan Mohd Azhar, 38, an editor at The Rakyat Insight, many media professionals are now turning to small businesses to supplement their income, since their current earnings may not be sufficient.

The mother of two says she started a home-based business after being laid off in 2018. It has since grown to include event participation, a kiosk at Saujana Utama and dessert table services.

"After I was laid off and hadn't received any new job offers yet, I started an online business from home. Then I began joining events, opened a kiosk last year, and this year added dessert table services. During Ramadan and festive seasons, I focus on making festive cookies and hampers," she said.

Wan Anis Ilyani said the main challenge of juggling two careers is time, with most of the baking being done early in the morning or late at night. However, the communication skills she gained as a journalist have been a great help when dealing with customers.

She says social media platforms like Instagram and Threads serve as her main promotional tools, helping her expand her customer network.

Meanwhile, both media practitioners admit that their experience as small business owners has given them a closer look at the public's economic reality.

Rising prices of raw materials, including coffee beans, ice, plastic packaging, and baking supplies, directly impact small traders, with global crises and conflicts in West Asia contributing significantly to the increases.

In conjunction with HAWANA 2026, both media practitioners agree that the welfare of journalists and media workers needs more serious attention, particularly in areas such as social protection and financial support.

They also remind young journalists to be bold in adapting to change, upgrading their skills, and using technology as a tool to support their work, without compromising journalistic integrity and ethics, or becoming overly reliant on AI.

HAWANA 2026 is themed "Media Integrity Strengthens Credibility" to strengthen the role of media practitioners in national development.

The main event of the annual celebration is scheduled to be officially launched by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim in Penang on June 20.

-- BERNAMA