‘Fake news can destabilise society’
SEREMBAN: The availability of social media has triggered the widespread dissemination of fake news, which can lead to conflict and instability in society.
Negri Sembilan mufti Datuk Mohd Yusof Ahmad said social media platforms should not be used to spread unverified news and slander.
“We can see that slanderous remarks are spreading like wildfire, in a blink of an eye. People do not verify news they see and hear, and as a result, many have fallen victim to fake news.
“This is clearly against the teachings of Islam. The spread of slander and fake news on social media can lead to the destruction of the country as well as community,” he told New Straits Times yesterday.
He added that Prophet Muhammad in a hadith had also mentioned the spread of slander as being one of the signs of “kiamat” (doomsday).
“Spreading lies, slander, and fake news is one of the signs although this can still be considered as small signs.
“But if we don’t put a stop to it, this scenario will lead to bigger problems in the future,” he said.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak had announced that the government would look into introducing laws to curb fake news on social media.
Subsequently, a special committee involving the police, the Attorney General’s Chambers, the National Security Council , the Communications and Multimedia Commission, the Ministry of Communications and Multimedia, and Legal Affairs Division had been set up.