SIBU: Authentic information is still channelled effectively and transparently to the community through mainstream media as opposed to social media.
Deputy Minister for Public Health, Housing and Local Government, Datuk Michael Tiang Ming Tee said, although social media is now getting faster in disseminating information, the source is still questionable, and has the potential to be fake news.
“They (social media) present interesting headlines with limited substantive content, and some content may be questionable.
“However, their news sources can still be questioned. When we are not sure about a certain news, we tend to refer to more reliable news from the mainstream media because they have a long reputation.
“As a representative of the mainstream, not an underground (source), when it comes to reporting the news, you have a reputation for credibility, a reputation for truth, and a reputation for reporting what’s really going on out there.
”So, I want to emphasise to you that what you are fighting for is not in vain. Even though fast news appears on Facebook and Instagram, people still rely on you as a reference,” he said at the pre-Chinese New Year dinner with the local media here on Monday (Feb 5).
The event was attended by about 40 media practitioners, including from New Sarawak Tribune, Bernama, Utusan Borneo, The Borneo Post, See Hua Daily News, Utusan Sarawak, UKAS and RTM.
In the meantime, the Pelawan assemblyman also expressed his concern about the increasingly widespread online fraud activities.
With the sophistication of digital technology nowadays, he said, society is getting more and more difficult to distinguish between true and false things.
“In a situation like this, we need an anchor, and a mainstream newspaper like you serves as an anchor and an important pillar for us.
“If anything happens, we can always refer to the mainstream news whether it is true or not.”
In addition, he also hopes to further strengthen relations with media partners, especially in Sibu.
Pointing out that Sarawak is now on its way to becoming a developed state by 2030, he said he does not want Sibu to fall behind.
“I look forward to having an ongoing partnership with you, beyond just friendship.
“Thank you for always working with me and I hope we all continue to work harder so that we can shape a better future.”
