KUCHING: The spread of fake news on social media by left-wing parties was only done to instil anti-government feeling among the people.
He stressed that the people have the right to get accurate news based on facts and not sentiments or rhetoric.
He was speaking to reporters after officiating at the launch of Sarawak National Youth Organisation (Saberkas) sports carnival at Kampung Melayu community hall, Kota Samarahan today.
Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) information chief Datuk Idris Buang said for instance, photos of dilapidated homes circulated by perpetrators on social media which causes decepetion and ambiguity to the public but when further investigated, the photos were actually abandoned homes in remote areas.
“The people need to assess the issues themselves on social media and act as check and balance to fake news by distributing authentic and factually correct information,” he said.
Idris said, with the formation of government agencies such as the Sarawak Public Communications Unit (Ukas) as well as the existing Information Department, it aims to convey accurate news to the people.
He added, this was also supplemented by the setting up of state-owned TV station, TVS as well as journalists in the media field.
“(The news is disseminated) in terms of visual and audio also as well as local radio stations and so on.
“Through this platform, we can put an end to the false propaganda spread by some quarters as well as be able to channel information to them (the people),” he said.
