Social media, mainstream media must improvise to present credible information to Gen Y - PM Anwar
By Bernama - January 7, 2023
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim speaks during the Special Narrative Session With the Prime Minister programme hosted by Radio Televisyen Malaysia (RTM) in Kuala Lumpur. - BERNAMA PIC
KUALA LUMPUR: Social Media and mainstream media outlets need to improve how they disseminate and present news to ensure credible information reaches the young generation (Gen Y).
This, he said was imperative in order to prevent them from being influenced by negative social media trends.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said that while the young generation is sometimes influenced by social media trends, their ideology will change if they are able to absorb the right information through media reports.
"The young generation are our children. If they don't listen, have weaknesses...we have not disseminated information in the proper way, for example, issues like race and religion. That is only a small part.
Anwar said through his sessions with youths, it was evident that they are hungry for facts, change and for their welfare to be taken care of.
Meanwhile, Anwar agreed that the role of the media in the country cannot be ignored, despite the popularity of social media.
He added that the media was not just a tool for the government or leaders to channel information, but it is also a platform to receive criticism and the concern of the people to help assist in nation building.
"I have no problems (freedom of the press, media), in fact even in Parliament, (Members of Parliament) criticise me and I listen. Just that when they 'spit poison from their mouths', it becomes a battleground where all sorts of accusations are thrown around, including using Islam and dakwah, so we must look after our differences as well."
Apart from the economy, technology and digital, the Prime Minister said the literature and culture that the media and journalists have is very important in our lives and in aspects of nation building. — BERNAMA
