GEORGE TOWN – The rapid spread of misinformation online has driven the United States ambassador to Malaysia, Brian McFeeters, to call for quality journalism.
Speaking to the media at TechCamp Malaysia today, McFeeters said this is crucial to prevent misinformation and the stifling of press freedom, similar to what has happened in Russia.
“I think we’ve all seen the countries that have experienced incidents of misinformation, (where there have been) campaigns with misleading narratives that can increase tensions, create uncertainty and confusion among the public and community.
“In relation to Russia’s totally unprovoked and unjustified attacks on Ukraine, that’s mainly an atrocity of violence and attacks on civilians. It’s also evil in terms of the use of misinformation as false stories which started long before the actual war started.
“The misinformation campaign has been the Kremlin’s most important and far-reaching weapon, as it is a quick and fairly cheap way to destabilise societies and set the stage for military action,” he said.
He highlighted that Russia has undertaken a completely unprovoked unjustified attack on Ukraine. He was made to know that thousands, if not millions, of Russians are signing up for virtual private networks to get news on what the Russian government has limited.
While he acknowledged that he cannot judge the quality of thousands of pieces of news circulating on the Russo-Ukrainian war, McFeeters said equipping journalists in Malaysia with the necessary tools is particularly crucial to prevent the spread of misinformation.
Since the Russian invasion of Ukraine started at the end of February, many posts from media outlets have been making their rounds on social media.
Both sides of the divide, and Western and Russian media, have reportedly used misinformation tactics to deceive the general public.
Old pictures from the Palestine conflict, Syria, and children in Donbas, Ukraine from seven years ago have also been used to depict the state of war in Ukraine.
On the three-day TechCamp Malaysia programme from March 24 to 26 organised by the Penang Institute and supported by the US Embassy, McFeeters said that America is committed to promoting healthy democratic institutions and a vibrant, free press.
Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow, who was also present at the event, said that when the media is critical in scrutinising governmental affairs and policies by exposing excesses and corruption within the corridors of power, it empowers the people to vote for the best party to represent their interests.
“Understanding the mechanics of misinformation and disinformation and their connections to shaping public opinion is crucial for our democracy.
“It is a challenge that all of us – the politicians, citizens and the media – should undertake together.
“In election campaigns, the media should focus on the track records of candidates and check their policies and announcements so that voters can choose the best person and party to represent their interests.”
TechCamp Malaysia is one of many programs hosted globally under the US State Department that offers hands-on, participant-driven workshops and ongoing impact-oriented programmes that focus on results. Participants identify real-world issues and work with trainers to apply technology solutions to these challenges. – The Vibes, March 26, 2022
