Conventional media vital to correct doubtful news: Teo
Published on: Saturday, February 28, 2015
Kota Kinabalu: The conventional media here play important roles to seek clarification and verification from credible sources and authorities on information and news widely circulated in the Internet and social media network.Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) President Datuk Teo Chee Kang said this is imperative so that the public would not continue to be misled by wrongful information. "Due to technological advancement, it is ironical that in the age of information… news is increasingly difficult to manage where many times the news circulated in the Internet and social media network via Twitter, emails, WhatsApp and WeChat are things that are not accurate and just rumours.
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"For example today, the local newspapers reported that the police denied a Tawau man was beheaded which was circulated in the social media and another recent false news is the death of former Singapore Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew that had also gone viral."This is where the conventional media discharge its vital tasks by correcting doubtful news and information in the Internet, and publishing only accurate and right ones," he said.Teo, who is also Special Tasks Minister, said this during an annual media luncheon in conjunction with the LDP Chinese New Year organised by its Wanita and Youth wings at a hotel here, Thursday.Also present were LDP Deputy President Senator Datuk Chin Su Phin, its Vice-President Chin Su Yin, another Vice-President Datuk Pang Yuk Ming, Secretary-General Datuk Yong Wui Chung, Wanita Chief Datin Shim Nyat Yun, Youth Chief Tsang Hieng Yee, supreme council members and other officials.
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Teo also advised those who often surf the social media to exercise extra caution and care when faced with information that they receive from the network.He said the receiving end must be careful and must look into whether the information they are getting is true or false.
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This is because, he said, certain quarters would take advantage and make use of the social media to achieve their personal agenda that could stir racial disharmony and distrust like using doctored photographs.Such information that looks doubtful, Teo said, is not only circulated in the country but also worldwide."It is important for all of us especially those in the receiving end to have the wisdom to ascertain and judge whether the information is reliable or not before circulating them to others…this is very important."That is why I frequently check with my friends from the conventional media for accuracy whenever I received something in my WhatsApp, and emails, among others," he said. Despite facing challenging times in view of the technological advancement in the social media, Teo said the conventional media remains relevant.He said the conventional media has another role to play in view of the increasing rise of polarisation in terms of race and religion which is to defend moderation and extremism."Many people make use of the social media as a platform to create instability and disharmony in the country."Therefore, the conventional media comes into this by highlighting and promoting moderation against bigotry and extremism although people still like to read sensational news," Teo said.Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express’s Telegram channel.
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