Kuala lumpur: Accuracy in news reporting must remain a priority despite mounting pressure on newsrooms to publish stories quickly in the social media era, Deputy Communications Minister Teo Nie Ching said today. She emphasized the challenges faced by media organizations as they strive to maximize audience reach online, noting the rapid pace of information consumption on digital platforms.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Teo highlighted the significant changes in newsroom operations due to the digital age, where even a delay of a few minutes can drastically alter the reach of a news story on social media. "I was told by our friends in the media industry that sometimes, if you are late by even 50 minutes, 10 minutes or even 5 minutes, the reach you can get on social media can be totally different," she said. Despite these challenges, she stressed the paramount importance of maintaining accuracy in news reporting.
Teo also addressed the rising risk of misinformation and disinformation spreading rapidly as more people rely on social media for news consumption. This trend is concerning, especially when the public does not verify information before forming opinions. "Especially when we see so much misinformation and disinformation being generated so quickly, and when people do not have the habit of fact-checking, it will always become an issue," she stated.
She underscored the crucial role of credible media organizations in ensuring the public receives verified and accurate information, countering the proliferation of unverified online content. "Because it is so easy for anyone or any party to disguise themselves as a media outlet. Some may look like media outlets, but they may not strictly follow the code of conduct generally practised by media professionals," Teo explained.
Teo further emphasized the need for professional ethics and industry guidelines to evolve, ensuring media practitioners and content creators do not contribute to public confusion. "Because I think the code of ethics is very important for us to ensure fair reporting. not a magnifier of confusion, or an adder of confusion. But it is a generator of information," she added.
Meanwhile, in another development, Teo announced that the Communications Ministry had begun issuing approval letters today for successful applicants under Phase Two and Phase Three of the Media Innovation Fund. She also mentioned that applications for Phase Five remain open until May 14.