Media personnel today (16 January 2024) learnt about the latest tactics employed by corporations and actors who directly profit from misinformation.
Crisis Management Centre founder, Nordin Abdullah, said journalists need to be aware of such tactics, adding if media organisations failed in their duty of care and contributed to misinformation, then corporations will look to take legal action and seek damages.
“The problem arises when the media are maliciously manipulated and believe that they are publishing the truth,” Nordin said during the third National Press Club of Malaysia (NPC) Professional Development Series (PDS) held at The Royale Chulan Damansara.
The one-day training session saw the participation of 40 media personnel and journalism students.
Nordin added that standard operating procedures of journalists, like fact-checking and source verification, remain but the tools may need to be rapidly upgraded.
“Media organisations need to invest in the systems and the human capital to ensure that they are empowered to contribute to a crisis by shedding light on a situation, and not inadvertently contributing to the misinformation.”
He added the NPC has taken an important step via the nationwide training programme to ensure that the latest trends, regulatory changes, and policy positions are known to the broader community of journalists.
“In the long run, this will reduce the amount of governance issues faced by media practitioners and media owners, which will lead to a more sustainable and resilient media industry in Malaysia,” he added.
NPC president Datuk Ahirudin Attan acknowledged that journalists must understand their roles to avoid being misinformed to shift consumers’ or voters’ perceptions during a crisis. He said this is crucial in fortifying the integrity of the country’s media outlets.
“The National Press Club aims to maintain a pivotal role in shaping the future of Malaysia’s media by enhancing the skills of our journalists and bringing attention to how misinformation can alter consumers’ perceptions during a crisis,” said Ahirudin.
“We are grateful to be working with strong and innovative partners, namely the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC), Content Forum, Institut Penyiaran dan Penerangan Tun Abdul Razak (IPPTAR), Crisis Management Centre, Dataxet Nama and Telum Media.
“We also wish our heartfelt thanks to our corporate sponsors for their ongoing support, namely Maxis Berhad, Huawei Malaysia, Cheffaro by Eng Sheng Sdn Bhd, Blackmores (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd, The Gilded Lion Antiques & Art Gallery, West Coast Expressway, and Telekom Malaysia Berhad,” he added
The trainers involved in the third NPC PDS include MCMC head of investigation department, Akmal Hamdy Baharudin; Mawar Abdul Latiff, senior manager for policy and advocacy at the Communications and Multimedia Content Forum of Malaysia; and Melanie Nambiar, head of insights at Dataxet Nama.
The fourth NPC PDS will be held on 18 January 2024 (Thursday) at the Klana Resort Seremban in Negeri Sembilan. This programme will also be held in Johor, Penang, Perak, Pahang, Sabah and Sarawak in the upcoming weeks. 
