Portal Sebenarnya.my to be introduced in smart phone application from this year (Updated)

KUALA LUMPUR: Portal Sebenarnya.my, a one-stop centre developed to curb the spread of online fake news will be expanded through the smartphone application and on social media channels like Facebook and Youtube starting this year.
The Ministry of Communications and Multimedia (KKMM) said the effort was to ensure that the public could receive accurate information fast.
"This ongoing effort is aimed at educating the public to be more facts literate, to be proficient in analysing news and to be vigilant before spreading news that is unverified," said the ministry in a written reply to a question from Tan Sri William Mawan Ikom (BN-Saratok) on the government's plan to to address issues on the spread of fake news and information in the country.
KKMM said the portal, which was launched on March 14 last year, has now reached more than 20 million hits with an average of nearly two million hits each month.
The ministry through the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) would continue to empower the enforcement, investigation and prosecution of any misconduct on social media, it said.
KKMM in its reply also informed of the existing cooperation through the Cyber Crime Special Committee comprising various ministries and agencies that also facilitated the process and coordination in matters involving the enforcement, investigation and prosecution of cyber criminal cases, including for cases of false news and information dissemination closely related to the use of fake accounts.
Last year, MCMC has taken action against 3,721 fake accounts in various social media platforms in which 80% had been deleted on social media platform providers such as Facebook and Twitter for violating their respective terms and conditions.
During the same period, 40 investigating papers were opened by MCMC for cases involving the spread of fake news on various social media and four cases had been brought to court, said the ministry.
In an effort to curb the spread of fake news, KKMM said MCMC also held 561 awareness programmes through 18 strategic partners which reached about 1.5 million people last year.
In addition to face to face campaigns, MCMC also held awareness campaigns through the Public Service Announcements (PSA) aired over television and radio with over 50,000 PSAs being aired via radio and televisions since March 14 last year until now.
Meanwhile replying to a question from Datuk Abdul Rahman Mohamad (BN-Lipis) on the cost of installing MYTV by each consumer, the ministry said that consumers had the option of either doing their installation or use the MYTV installation service.
“If the consumer needs the installation contractors’ services registered with MYTV Broadcasting Sdn Bhd (“MYTV”), the cost of installation including an aerial unit. UHF, cable and connectors is RM180.
“Wheras for those who need only technical assistance without antenna and installation, a minimum of RM50 will be charged by MYTV,” its said.
However for the 1Malaysia People’s Aid recipients, the MYTV decoders will be given free while for others, the MYTV decoder can be bought at the electronic shops at RM199.
— Bernama