Social media users must be ethical, stop spreading lies

LARUT: Social media users must be ethical and stop spreading lies or hurl baseless accusations against others including Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak, said Information Department director-general Datuk Ibrahim Abdul Rahman.

He said there were certain parties with vested interests who used social media unethically to discredit national leaders.

He said an example of lies spread against Najib was the issue of a RM2.6 billion donation which were clearly baseless as Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Minister Adel Al-Jubeir on Friday had confirmed that it came from his country.

“It is proven the donation was given genuinely, and as such, social media users should put an end to their allegations against the prime minister,” he told Bernama after the closing ceremony of the Perak -level Pewaris Muda programme in Lata Sempeneh, Batu Kurau near here, yesterday.

Commenting on the Pewaris Muda programme, Ibrahim said among others, it also served as a platform to educate the public, especially those in rural areas not to believe the slander on social media.

“Through this programme, we also want people to share information face-to-face, besides promoting unity among the races,” he said.

He said through the programme, the generation Y would be exposed to various approaches to serve the community, as well as explain the government’s policies.

“Through the Pewaris Muda approach which is implemented in each state, we can create and informed society which has high self-worth,” he added. Bernama MARANG: Members of the public are urged to change their negative views on the mass media as it plays an important role in the nation building process. Terengganu Government Transformation, Communications and Multimedia Committee chairman, A. Latiff Awang said the role of the media was vital as it act as the catalyst in driving human capital growth in order to achieve Vision 2020.

“The risk of journalists being exposed to lies by the public is at an all-time high, especially in the news reporting aspect and they have to be strong mentally and emotionally in carrying out their duties.

“If not for them, the country’s growth would be affected as they would no longer act as an entity in disseminating information to the public,” he told a press conference after closing the Basic Fire Fighting Training Course for the Media Second Series 2016, here on Saturday. - Bernama