Social media users urged to refrain from sharing unconfirmed information

PASIR MAS: The Communications and Multimedia Ministry has reminded social media users not to disseminate unverified and slanderous information which could cause disturbance in the community.
Ministry secretary-general Tan Sri Dr Sharifah Zarah Syed Ahmad said those who receive unconfirmed information should cease sharing the news.
"If we spread slander by disseminating untruthful news, we could very well be traitors as it could compromise the nation's security," she told reporters after the opening a "Connecting the Unconnected" (CTU) programme at Sekolah Kebangsaan Kubang Kuau, Rantau Panjang here today.
The CTU programme was officiated by Senator Datuk Abdullah Mat Yasim.
Sharifah Zarah said those who wanted to verify a certain viral news on social website could check with sebenarnya.my portal set up by the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC).
She said greater awareness of the correct social site usage was important following the government's efforts to widen access of internet service nationwide including rural areas via CTU programmes.
Meanwhile, Abdullah said the CTU programme involved the initiative of the ministry to benefit rural residents who have limited internet access as well as television and radio broadcasts.
He said without good telecommunication service, the people in rural areas would continue to be left behind in the development in the country. — Bernama