Media practitioners urged to be quick to counter false news

KUALA LUMPUR: Media practitioners should be quick to counter false news spread on the social media aimed at inciting the people to hate the government, including the statement during the meeting between the prime minister and United States President Donald J. Trump, recently.

Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said his statement made during the meeting at the White House was twisted by irresponsible parties with the aim to confuse the people.

“For example, when I told President Trump ‘I come here to strengthen the US economy’ I did not mean that we contribute to the US economy without receiving any benefit from it,” he said in his speech during tea with the Malaysian Women’s Journalists Association ( Pertama), here yesterday.

On the other hand, Najib said that his statement was interpreted in a narrow context despite the real meaning that Malaysia as a successful country could become a significant economic generator to other developed countries.

The prime minister said the government’s decision to buy new Boeing aircraft for Malaysia Airlines ( MAS) was also twisted by the opposition although it is an investment to make MAS a renowned airline.

“That’s why I said we want to buy aircraft. MAS chose to buy the most sophisticated plane, eight Dreamliners. Yesterday I read online that Turkish Airlines bought 40 Dreamliners. This aircraft will be good to advance our aviation industry.”

On another note, Najib said the government appreciate the role of female media practitioners in national development as they play an important role to give a clear understanding of government policies.

Najib praised the achievements of the country’s women and described them as incredible for making good progress in male dominated areas such as nuclear science, medical science and the oil and gas industry.

He cited two examples, namely Prof. Emiritus Dr Mazlan Othman, who was the director of United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs ( UNOOSA) in Vienna, Austria, and Tan Sri Dr Jemilah Mahmood, the under secretarygeneral for partnerships at International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies ( IFRC).

“With these achievements, I am confident that the aspirations of National Transformation 2050 ( TN50) will be achieved with women having a par excellent mind with the natural trait to achieve more progress.”

Najib said he would consider provide funding to Pertama for its activities but he did not state the amount of funding.

Also present were the prime minister’s wife Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor and Pertama president, Sariha Mohd Ali.

About 200 Pertama members attended the event. — Bernama