PETALING JAYA: The dissemination of fake news can have a dangerous impact on the country, according to a criminologist.
For a start, Shahul Hamid Abdul Rahim said, it could have a negative impact on the economy and political situation.
As such it is essential that every individual verifies a piece of news with the relevant authorities before forwarding it to another person, he added.
He was commenting on reports of a police crackdown on the spread of fake news on the novel coronavirus outbreak on social media.
He lauded the police for their effort, and reiterated that more arrests and prosecution should be made to deter people from indulging in such a “dangerous” habit.
Shahul said the Health Ministry has been efficiently releasing statements from time to time on the spread of the disease through its WhatsApp groups and helplines.
“There is no reason for social media users not to verify news or information that they have received before passing it on.”
He attributed the practice to an assumption some people have that they have received these messages exclusively and therefore they are obliged to pass it on to their friends and families.
“That is the problem. Every piece of news should be verified, no matter how real it seems,” he said, adding this could be easily done by monitoring official websites and news channels.
Shahul stressed that only by enforcing the law can this habit be eradicated.
“The police need to crack down hard on this.”
Former Transparency International-Malaysia president and criminologist Datuk Seri Akhbar Satar echoed Shahul’s sentiment, commending all efforts by relevant authorities in curbing the habit of spreading fake or unverified news.
“Fake news causes unrest.”
Akhbar added this could be the time for a more sensible anti-fake news law.
“It’s high time it comes into place with more sensible terms and conditions.
