News accuracy must remain priority despite pressure to publish fast, says deputy communications minister

“KUALA LUMPUR, May 7 — 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 said the rapid pace of information consumption on digital platforms had significantly changed newsroom operations, with media organisations racing against time to maximise audience reach online. “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. “So I understand the challenge. But at the same time, I think accuracy is still very, very important,” she told reporters after officiating the National Journalists’ Day 2026 Media Forum here today. Teo said the growing reliance on social media for news consumption had also increased the risk of misinformation and disinformation spreading rapidly, especially when the public failed to 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. “Because their opinions and perceptions of certain issues are formed very, very quickly based on what they read or see on social media,” she added. She said credible media organisations therefore play an increasingly important role in ensuring the public receives verified and accurate information amid the rise of unverified online content masquerading as legitimate news platforms. “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,” she said. Teo said professional ethics and industry guidelines must continue evolving to ensure 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 said. Meanwhile, in another development, Teo said the Communications Ministry had begun issuing approval letters today for successful applicants under Phase Two and Phase Three of the Media Innovation Fund, while applications for Phase Five remain open until May 14. — Bernama

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