By Tengku Aliaa Syairah Tengku Sallehuddin
Those from the older generation around me said people mostly got their news from newspapers and TV back then. But now that we live in a digital world, information comes from many sources like Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, and online news sites. Although this change makes it easier to get information, but it should also makes us ask an important question:
Who really decides what we see?
Big tech companies like Google, Meta (Facebook and Instagram), and TikTok control a lot of what shows up on our screens. They use algorithms computer programs that pick content based on what we like or interact with. These algorithms don’t check if something is true or false. Instead, they try to keep us online longer so the companies can make more money from ads. Because of this, fake news or dramatic posts often spread faster than real information.
This is a big problem for journalism. Before, journalists were the main people who shared news. They would check facts and report on important issues. But today, many people read the news through social media, not newspapers. This change has caused thousands of local newspapers to shut down. In some countries, like Malaysia, access to certain news websites has also been limited by the government, often for “security” reasons.
Another issue is the lack of clear rules on social media. Traditional news had editors and guidelines. If something was wrong, people could complain or ask for corrections. But on social media, companies can remove posts or block users without giving reasons. For example, in 2022, several journalists were banned from Twitter (now called X) during Elon Musk’s takeover. This shows how a private company can easily silence people it disagrees with.
Even though there are problems, digital media also gives people new ways to speak up. Social media has helped many movements grow by letting regular people share their stories. A good example is the Arab Spring, where people used Facebook and Twitter to organize protests for freedom. Also, some online news platforms like Malaysia kini in Malaysia have survived by getting support from readers, not just advertising.
There are also new tools to help fight fake news. Some organizations now use artificial intelligence (AI) to check if photos or videos are real. In Europe, a new law called the Digital Services Act now asks tech companies to be more honest about how they choose what content to show or remove.
One of the best ways to fix this problem is through media literacy. People need to learn how to spot fake news, check sources, and think critically. In Finland, students learn these skills in school, and it has helped reduce the number of young people who believe false information online.
So, what can we do? We don’t need to stop using media, but we must use it wisely. Governments should create fair rules to protect free speech and stop the spread of lies. Tech companies should be more open about how their systems work. And most importantly, we as users must be more careful about what we read, watch, and share online.
In conclusion, media can be used for both good and bad. Yes it can connect people and share knowledge, but it can also spread lies and create division. The future of media depends on how we choose to use it and who we allow to control it.
The author is an undergraduate student of Universiti Malaya, taking an elective university course entitled “Introduction to Journalism and Storytelling in Digital Age”, and may be contacted via nahrizuladib@um.edu.my