The Malaysia Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) has launched an official Telegram channel for the Sebenarnya.my news portal as part of a measure to curb the spread of fake news regarding Covid-19 on social media.
Members of the public can join the Telegram channel through https://t.me/sebenarnyamy. Some users may have to download the Telegram Messenger app through Google Play store or Apple app store first.
MCMC in a statement today said members of the public can rely on the Telegram channel to receive the latest and most accurate information about Covid-19. Information such as news updates are verified by authorities such as the Ministry of Health.
MCMC will also share other content such as announcements, public awareness messages, reminders and FAQ that have been verified by the Ministry of Health through their official social media channels or from the Crisis Preparedness and Response Centre (CPRC). Additionally, members of the public can also join the CPRC Telegram channel for more information.
Members of the public are advised not to share unverified information or news to prevent confusion. MCMC reminds everyone that efforts to overcome fake news is a shared responsibility.
The Sebenarnya.my Telegram group currently has around 850 subscribers and MCMC has thus far shared information regarding the latest Covid-19 cases statistics, and debunked fake news about alleged cases in some states.
The Star reported that the police are tracking down individuals sharing false information of a ‘lockdown’ in Malaysia due to Covid-19. On March 15, a poster saying Malaysia will go into lockdown from 8pm to 10pm with instructions like “stay home” went viral on social media platforms like Twitter.
Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Abdul Hamid Bador said the act of spreading the fake lockdown message was “irresponsible” and could affect public order.
“We will track down those irresponsible individuals who share the information which has raised anxiety among the public. Think about the impact on the public before sharing any information,” he said.
Source;
TheStar