PETALING JAYA: The public should be reminded regularly on the consequences of creating and spreading fake news, says a psychologist. “The public should be informed frequently of the consequences of creating and spreading fake news,” she said in an email interview. Fake news tends to be popular and usually triggers certain emotions in oneself that increases the tendency for people to attend to it, said Yap. Yap said that preventive measures to deter people from spreading fake news that could be implemented include putting a technological barrier after reading and before forwarding information. “Despite the relevant authority verifying information diligently on official website (sebenarnya.my by MCMC), the culture of fact-checking should be given more emphasis,” she said.

Source: The Star February 13, 2020 00:00 UTC