PUTRAJAYA, 11 JULY: Datuk Saifuddin Abdullah, Minister of Communications and Multimedia, today asked the media across all platforms, including television, radio, print, and the internet, to step up efforts to identify and expose fake news. In a statement, he expressed his hope that the media will step up efforts to increase awareness about the dangers of fake news and how to avoid them.
According to him, the transmission of misleading information or news, whether about the Covid-19 epidemic, immunization, health, social, or political issues, has increased significantly recently. The situation may produce public uncertainty and anxiety, hampering attempts to effectively battle the development of the Covid-19 epidemic.
“In terms of disseminating information, the media not only has the responsibility of reporting authentic and accurate news, but it also has the responsibility of protecting the public from false news that could jeopardize the government’s efforts to combat Covid-19 and maintain the country’s prosperity and stability,” he said.
Since the crisis began, Saifuddin said, the media has worked with the government to battle fake news.
He claimed that the government, through the Ministry of Communications and Multimedia (KKMM) and other organizations, took significant measures to combat the spread of fake news, particularly in the wake of the Covid-19 outbreak.
He cited the ministry’s Quick Response Team’s monitoring, which has disproved 464 fake news stories since March of last year.
He went on to say that the Emergency (Essential Powers) (No. 2) Ordinance 2021 went into effect in March 2021 to combat the propagation of false information about Covid-19 and health.
“I have faith in society’s ability to assess bogus news. Let’s join together to combat fake news “he stated/n
