Verify Authenticity Of Social Media Content, Fahmi Reminds Netizens

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 20 (Bernama) -- Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil today voiced concern over the tendency of netizens to accept information on social media at face value, urging them to verify content to avoid falling prey to scams.

He said content shared on social media differs from reports produced by mainstream media, which uphold strict journalistic ethics and integrity.

“We are seeing a trend where many netizens believe everything they see online. Some even fall victim to scams, including those involving artificial intelligence (AI) such as deepfakes.

“For instance, some believed claims of a cable car service in Perak or were misled by allegations that Zara Qairina (Mahathir) died after being put into a washing machine.

“There was even a so-called pathologist on TikTok livestreams claiming to be an expert. Checks with the Health Ministry revealed he was not a doctor, and we were informed he had a history of scams,” he said when winding up the debate on the 13th Malaysia Plan for the Communications Ministry in the Dewan Rakyat.

Fahmi also noted that the Sabah Journalist Association has issued a statement criticising influencers who swarmed a press conference on the death of Form One student Zara Qairina, behaving as if they were professional reporters.

“They asked questions, but their intention was to create content for personal gain. When the views reach millions, of course, there is a financial return for them. But integrity and verification of facts were completely ignored,” he said.

To counter the issue, he said the Information Department, the Malaysian National News Agency (Bernama) and the Broadcasting Department would be mobilised to produce content that helps the public understand that not everything on social media is true.

On a separate matter, Fahmi stressed that the identities of five teenagers charged at the Kota Kinabalu Children’s Court today cannot be revealed as they are protected under Section 15 of the Child Act 2001.

“This is not due to any directive but is required under existing law. Any case involving children under 18 automatically falls under the Child Act,” he said.

Earlier today, five teenage girls were charged with using abusive words against Zara Qairina last month.

-- BERNAMA