Kuala lumpur: Amid rapid advances in artificial intelligence (AI) and the unchecked flow of online content, journalists and mainstream media are increasingly seen as the final line of defence against fake news that could threaten national security and social harmony. Communication experts believe the spread of unverified information on social media has reached an alarming level, particularly content involving provocation, hatred and emotional manipulation that could trigger public panic, racial tension and a crisis of confidence in national institutions.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Universiti Malaysia Sabah's Communication Programme head at the Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, Dr Aisah Meri, stated that mainstream media now plays a crucial role as a balancing force and gatekeeper in filtering information circulating in the digital space. She emphasized that the role of journalists today extends beyond simply reporting news, as media practitioners are also responsible for verifying the authenticity of information before it reaches the public.
Dr Aisah noted that fake news should no longer be regarded as merely a communication issue because its impact could erode social, political, and national security stability. On AI-related challenges, including deepfake manipulation and AI-generated text, she stressed that media organisations must keep pace with technological developments and can no longer afford to remain conservative. Media practitioners should equip themselves with digital forensic skills and content verification technology, while media organisations need to establish clear ethical guidelines on the use of AI.
Meanwhile, Universiti Malaya senior lecturer at the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, Dr Muhammad Zaiamri Zainal Abidin, emphasized that mainstream media must continue efforts to regain public confidence, as some segments of society still perceive media institutions as being controlled by certain parties. He highlighted that the public must understand that information filtering by professional media is not intended to suppress narratives, but to ensure only verified information is delivered to the public.
Dr Muhammad suggested expanding data journalism within media organisations to strengthen the accuracy and quality of reporting in the digital era. He stated that the use of technology, including digital data analytics, is critical in strengthening the quality and accuracy of analytical reporting, and that journalists and editors must continuously enhance their understanding of technology through ongoing training and strong editorial policies.
In a related development, Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris lecturer at the Department of Communication and Media, Dr Ahmad Sauffiyan Abu Hasan, pointed out that mainstream media must be more aggressive in producing micro-content on social media to compete with the rapid spread of fake news on the same platforms. He emphasized that media institutions must also master algorithm strategies and the use of keywords to ensure authentic content reaches a wider audience.
Dr Ahmad Sauffiyan cited a study by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), which found that fake news containing emotional elements spreads six times faster than verified news. He suggested that media practitioners apply affective or emotional leads in news writing to attract readers' attention without compromising ethical journalism principles.