KUCHING: Media practitioners, most specifically Sarawak Information Department (JAPEN) are urged to continue their relentless fight against the spread of misinformation, which has become increasingly prevalent in the age of social media.
Deputy State Legislative Assembly (DUN) Speaker Datuk Idris Buang said this as media practitioners play a huge role in educating members of the public on the current issues that are going around in their surroundings.
“Social media such as Facebook, X or formerly known as Twitter, Instagram, and even WhatsApp messengers contain a lot of misinformation.
“Our task is to disseminate an accurate, factual, and correct information, data and statistics to the public out there.
“Take political news for example, it can be twisted (putar belit) for bad purposes. But it is also our duty to ensure that we make it through our fairest point of view,” he said.
He said this when officiating at the closing ceremony of the second Annual General Meeting of Former JAPEN Members Association (PENERANG) at Serapi Hotel here today (Aug 1).
“As a Muslim myself, in Islam, misinformation or fitnah is much worst than committing murder.
“If we spread misinformation to a particular person, it is like we spread the misinformation to the whole world,
“That is how dangerous social media, giving comments without any sort of knowledge” he added.
He then stated that the factual and accurate information must be supported by everyone regardless of what race or religion they are.
“For example, all the plans and initiative that are currently being done by the state government under the leadership of Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg, all of it heading towards the goodness of not only Sarawak but also Malaysia.
“We do not want his initiative and plans to be belittled by the unnecessary critics because those bring nothing but good things for all of us as Sarawakian,
“So as I said before, JAPEN has a huge responsibility in helping the state government in fighting against the misinformation out there,” he added.
Also present during the closing ceremony were JAPEN director Helmy Hamid, chairman of PENERANG Bujang Boji Sitam and other distinguished guests.
