KOTA KINABALU: Conventional media can play a role as a front to defend moderation against bigotry and extremism, in view of the increasingly polarized race and religion situation in the country, said Minister of Special Tasks, Datuk Teo Chee Kang.
Teo, who is also Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) president, said that conventional media has remained relevant despite facing challenging times due to technological advancement in the social media such as web news and blogs.
He noted that many people abuse the social media and blogs to create disharmony in the country.
“I think it is important for our media to play a part in defending moderation against bigotry and extremism.
“No doubt readers would like to read sensationalized news, but in this respect, media can play a role together with the government to ensure that our nation Malaysia, in particular Sabah, will always remain a state which truly reflects the spirit of 1Malaysia.”
Teo said this during a Chinese New Year gathering with the press organized by LDP Youth and Women Movements here yesterday.
On another note, Teo said, it was ironic that managing information has become increasingly difficult in this age of information.
“Many a times, we find news circulating in the social media and Internet via email, WeChat, WhatsApp or Twitter are not accurate, they can just be false rumours.”
Just yesterday, Teo said, the police had to deny a photograph depicting a beheaded man in Tawau that went viral, and in separate case, there was this false rumour that former Singapore Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew had passed away.
Teo advised those who use the social media, especially those on the receiving end, to exercise wisdom and caution, to ascertain whether the news is true or false before forwarding it on to their friends.
“Certain quarters have made use of the social media to achieve their own selfish agenda, to create racial disharmony and distrust. It is very easy because they can upload a doctored video or photographs and the next minute it will go viral not only in Malaysia, but throughout the world,” he said.
Teo said he has experienced the instantaneous nature of the Internet or social media himself, when he received a photograph from a friend residing in Australia within a minute after the photograph was taken at an event in Kota Kinabalu.
“That is why I frequently check with friends from conventional media when I receive something in the social media or WhatsApp to ascertain its accuracy.
“It is important for all of us at the receiving end of information to have wisdom to ascertain and judge the information before we circulate,” Teo urged.
Also present were Assistant Minister of Tourism, Culture and Environment Datuk Pang Yuk Ming; LDP deputy president, Senator Datuk Chin Su Phin; vice president, Chin Shu Ying; secretary general, Datuk Yong Wui Chung; treasurer general, Fong Ken Sin; chief publicity officer, Albert Kok; organizing secretary, Peter Chong Su Leong; deputy secretary general, Ho Jia Lit; deputy treasurer general, Ng Tet Hau; Youth leader, Tsang Hieng Yee; Women leader, Datin Shim Nyat Yun; deputy Youth leader, Chiang Bhat Sing, and deputy Women leader, Glenna Wong.