All thanks to the swift amelioration of digital technology easing information distribution, the public no longer needs to rely on conventional media such as newspapers, magazines, banners, brochures, and multiple others in order to keep themselves updated with recent happenings. Rather, they can now be aware of any relevant updates the moment a particular piece of information is released. In comparison to older days, individuals who wish to stay on track with current news are required to spend dimes to have that accomplished. In the present day however, information is merely a few clicks and taps away provided they are utilizing a decent mobile device and sturdy internet connection like that provided by Time fibre Malaysia.
Content Creation And Distribution – Older Days VS The Present Day
Back then, not everybody was adequately eligible to generate and distribute content provided they work for a certified media house. Not only that, strict rules and regulations were imposed on journalists and editors in terms of the content they intended to construct, as though they were restricted from speaking the truth. This is one of the primary reasons justifying the unreliability of newspapers because of how political the editorial team could get before circulating a particular piece of information. As bizarre as it may sound, it is not surprising to discover that merely partial of the details being depicted in a news article are relevant, the rest however, are based on the writer’s viewpoints. Rather than being comprehensively informed of an event, we are deciphering it based on an individual’s visual landscape encompassing prejudices and biases hindering the truth.
Now that we are provided with platforms as autonomous as social media, everybody is deemed a content creator today. An action as simple as updating a status, or reposting an existing content, you are keeping your connections informed on a particular matter, making you either the creator or the distributor. Though there are a significant number of terms and conditions we are obliged to abide by as a platform user, we still hold uttermost freedom in producing any content of our liking, regardless of its authenticity which by hook or by crook, brings rise to the very phenomenon of fake news.
Falsified News As A Byproduct Of Social Media
Being able to express our thoughts and feelings fearlessly is one thing; however, it is about time we recognise that the poor enforcement of policies targeting fake news on social media is most guilty of the presence of fake news. Today’s society is swift in judging and assuming, even if it means to believe in something that is not factually proven. Despite that being an individual problem, culprits see the essentiality in circulating fabricated and conspired information amongst their connections before fact-checking. This could be dangerous for it not only to misguide the audiences, it is also a form of defamation which if taken to extreme means, could be brought to court.
Malaysia’s Former Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir’s Perspective To Fake News
Tun Dr Mahathir has always despised fake news and hate speeches for they contribute to unwanted racial tensions in such a heterogeneous country like Malaysia. Times when he was in duty, he never once failed to emphasize the cruciality in combating fake news which applies to the general public and the press.
As mentioned previously where newspaper companies are inclined to misguide their readers by depicting their own viewpoints in order to fit their agenda rather than educating the public about what is truly eventuating. Tun Dr Mahathir stood for press freedom, but that did not give them the rights to stir up conflict amongst diverse communities; which is also an aspect the Malaysian government has been striving for since the very beginning.
Steps Politicians In Duty Can Embark On To Reduce The Circulation Of Fake News
It is almost impossible to stop people from saying what they want, the same thing applies to the internet as well. Rather than pressuring them to quit doing what they intended to do, politicians can focus on educating the public regarding conspired news, then impose severe punishment for those who are caught producing and disseminating them.
Train The Public To Be Critical Readers
Rather than deciphering to believe, the public should now decipher to identify whether or not the information is evidently authentic. Prior to trusting each and every single word written in a piece of news or article, always see the need of fact-checking it using Google. Suppose the information is factual, there would be many similar news found online whilst the fabricated ones are usually nowhere to be found in search engines.
To do this, politicians may organize seminars and campaigns focusing on this matter, and assemble as many participants as possible to keep them enlightened on the severity of falsified news. They will then be aware of it and begin acting accordingly.
Impose Severe Circumstances For Those Breaking The Law
There may be laws established to combat conspiracies, but the enforcement is what has failed. Politicians must stay stern on their motives to cancel out fake news by punishing those who have broken the law. Law is there to be followed rather than just for show, so make full use of it.
Bottom Line
Bear in mind that this mission does not result overnight as it calls for long-term commitment and dedication. Apart from that, we can never successfully educate each and every person living in the country about this particular topic because it is simply impossible, what we can strive for is to cover as much population as possible. The more people are aware of it, the more people will stay away from it.
