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Early education on digital literacy, emphasising ethical conduct and responsible use of social media, should be introduced at the school level to cultivate conscientious social media users. This recommendation comes from Dr. Rani Ann Balaraman, a Senior Journalism Lecturer at the Centre for Communication Studies, Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM).
Dr Rani Ann highlighted the critical need for such education due to the pervasive influence of new media, including various social media platforms, on both adults and children.
“Social media is integral to our lives now, so it’s essential to teach children the ethics of its use,” she said. “In our tech-driven world, children often have their own mobile phones and are active on social media.”
In addition to her academic role, Dr Rani Ann contributed to the updated Malaysian Code of Ethics for Journalists, launched by the Ministry of Communications on February 20 this year. She also suggested that the government implement an educational program for influencers and citizen journalists to ensure they produce ethical content and promote smart social media usage among their followers.
Citizen journalism, a term that might seem unfamiliar to some, essentially describes most social media users. According to Dr. Rani Ann, there are two types of citizen journalists: institutional and non-institutional. Institutional citizen journalists work for companies, and their content is reviewed by editors before publication. In contrast, non-institutional citizen journalists independently share information, often without oversight, which can lead to ethical issues.
“The real danger lies with non-institutional citizen journalists who disseminate information and then disappear,” she explained.
Dr Rani Ann pointed out that these individuals sometimes post insensitive content, such as photos of accident victims, without considering the emotional impact on the victims’ families.
She cited a recent case where a man was heavily fined for making an offensive comment on social media. The hefty fine underscores the government’s commitment to curbing unethical behaviour on social media and serves as a warning against indiscriminate citizen journalism.
“The government’s actions send a clear message that arbitrary and insensitive social media posts will not be tolerated,” she said.
Dr. Rani Ann hopes the government will address various social media issues, including those involving individual privacy, in addition to the 3R issues (race, religion, and ruler).
OpenGov Asia reported on Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s directive for immediate action to rationalise and empower digital communications and social media for the nation’s benefit. The realignment of the Malaysian Administrative Modernisation and Management Planning Unit (MAMPU) as a key agency under the Digital Ministry reflects Malaysia’s commitment to elevate digitalisation efforts and enhance the country’s economic landscape.
By splitting the Ministry of Communications and Digital into separate entities, Malaysia is strategically focusing on modern communication challenges and prioritising the digital economy. This division aims to consolidate efforts, align policies, and foster a robust technological ecosystem, positioning Malaysia for sustainable economic growth in the digital era.
The National Journalists’ Day (HAWANA) 2024 celebration, themed “Etika Teras Kewartawanan Mapan,” will be held from May 25 to 27 in Kuching, Sarawak. Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim will officiate the event on May 27. Organised by the Ministry of Communications in collaboration with the Sarawak government and implemented by the Malaysian National News Agency (Bernama), the event will host over 800 media practitioners, including representatives from neighbouring countries.
With a refined focus on managing misinformation and regulating communication, Malaysia is poised to navigate the evolving digital landscape effectively and ensure societal and economic advancement
