Azlan Othman
Muhammad Kasyfillah Thaqif @ Muhammad Zharfan bin Ahmad, won the top prize of USD1,500 in a short video competition with the theme of combatting the spread of false information during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Abdul Aziz bin Abdullah walked away with USD1,000, and Awangku Ahmad Alfathullah bin Pengiran Haji Sellahhuddin received USD500.
The competition winners were awarded yesterday by Acting Deputy Director of Information Hajah Hamsah binti Datu Kerna Haji Jaya, as the representative of the Chairperson of the Sub-Committee on Information of the ASEAN Committee on Culture and Information (ASEAN-COCI) at a ceremony at the Information Department.
Every level of society, especially youth, need to be prepared with how to choose and evaluate information they receive to combat the rise of false information, said Head of the International Affairs Unit at the Information Department Mufidah binti Abdul Hakim during the ceremony.
Mufidah, who is also part of the ASEAN COCI, said the spread of false information is becoming more prevalent with the easy access to technology and social media.
More recently, ‘infodemics’ or the spread of false medical information during the COVID-19 pandemic has caused confusion and loss of trust in medical agencies and authorities.
“This has endangered lives.”
She lauded the Right Information Saves and Empower (RISE) ASEAN Short Video Competition as a step to help combat infodemics and raise awareness on the spread of false information.
The short video themed “RISE ASEAN: Countering the Infodemic” showcases the dangers of fake news and information on public health and safety and the importance of correct information in ASEAN’s response to COVID-19 and how it empowers people to rise up against the pandemic.
