KUALA LUMPUR — A total of 464 fake content related to the global supply crisis was identified between March 29 and April 30, 2026, with 312 of them successfully taken down, said Deputy Communications Minister Teo Nie Ching.
Apart from that, he said, a total of 65 investigation papers have been opened, with 15 cases referred to the Attorney General’s Chambers, while the others are still under investigation.
“The rapid spread of false information, amplified by artificial intelligence (AI), poses a major challenge to public trust,” he said in his speech during the opening of the HAWANA 2026 Media Forum, here, today.
Also present were Deputy Secretary-General of the Ministry of Communications (Strategic Communications and Creative Industries) Nik Kamaruzaman Nik Husin, Chairman of the Malaysian National News Agency (Bernama) Datuk Seri Wong Chun Wai, Bernama Chief Executive Officer Datin Paduka Nur-ul Afida Kamaludin and Bernama Editor-in-Chief Arul Rajoo Durar Raj.
Teo said cases of fake content, including fake accounts and impersonation of public figures, have increased sharply in recent years, jumping from 6,297 cases in 2023 to 63,652 in 2024 and 98,503 in 2025.
“As of April 30 this year alone, 60,829 such contents have been taken down by the platform,” he said.
He said the development showed the need for those involved in the world of journalism to always uphold credibility amidst the ever-changing digital landscape.
Meanwhile, Teo urged the Malaysian Media Council (MMC) to play a greater role and take a more careful and prudent approach in handling media-related issues.
He said this was important following Malaysia’s latest ranking of 95th in the Reporters Without Borders index, down from 88th previously, reflecting ongoing concerns in the media landscape.
“While the safety of journalists has improved, the decline in the media economy and legislation remains a concern, and this is not a position we can be complacent about.”
“Journalism is a pillar of democracy,” he said, adding that disputes over reporting should be resolved through the MMC as the ultimate arbiter.
The MMC, established in February last year, is a self-regulatory body that aims to uphold journalistic ethics, formulate codes of conduct and safeguard the welfare of media practitioners.
The council is governed by a board comprising representatives of media organisations, practitioners and public interest groups, including academics and the general public, with the participation of delegates from Sabah and Sarawak.
— BERNAMA
