Malaysian Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has warned that misinformation and falsehoods are becoming a growing crisis that requires government intervention and international cooperation to address.
He has called on technology companies, especially those based in Silicon Valley, to take responsibility for countering misinformation while upholding the right to free speech.
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During a special lecture entitled “Super Power Rivalry and Rising Tensions in the Asia Pacific” at the University of California, Anwar emphasized the importance of implementing policies to combat misinformation and disinformation.
The Prime Minister also highlighted the key role of the San Francisco Bay Area as a hub for major global companies, including Tesla, Uber, and Netflix, and emphasized the need for technological solutions and human content moderation.
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Anwar stressed the importance of transparency and accountability on digital platforms as well as the need for dialogue and constructive conversations rather than deceit and manipulation.
He acknowledged the challenges posed by misinformation and called for strengthening democratic institutions for the digital era.
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Anwar urged for the forging of stronger partnerships and the use of innovations to safeguard societies in the face of unprecedented challenges.
He emphasized the importance of democracy and collective vigilance in confronting these challenges and echoed the dedication of those who came before us in ensuring its endurance.
