Categories: News

Dr Noor Hisham: Media is the ‘vaccine’ to COVID-19 fake news

Tan Sri Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah said that media practitioners are the “vaccine” needed to combat misinformation and disinformation related to COVID-19, saying false information on the pandemic is as big a challenge as treating it.

“What’s also important now is us trying to handle, or vaccinate against fake news, where to [debunk] viral fake news, we rely on our friends in the media.

“You are our vaccine actually, with regard to fake news,” the health director-general said in a teleconference session, referring to the media.

Others present included the Institute of Medical Research (IMR) Virology unit chief Dr Ravindran Thayan, Sungai Buloh National Public Health Laboratory director Dr Hani Hussin, and Sungai Buloh Hospital’s Infectious Disease Department head Datuk Dr C. Suresh Kumar.

Yesterday’s three-hour session, according to Dr Noor Hisham, is part of the ministry’s efforts at channelling accurate information to the public amid misinformation that often gets spread quickly.

“There are even people writing letters saying I am going to resign, et cetera. I am here to serve the people,” he exclaimed.

Dr Noor Hisham said this when he was asked to comment on issues other than clinical ones that the Health Ministry is facing.

Recently, the DG took to Twitter to rubbish fake news of him supposedly resigning from his post, with the MOH also following suit.

Dr Noor Hisham has been at the centre of the country’s attention since the COVID-19 pandemic erupted last year.

Conducting almost daily press conferences and becoming the spokesman for the country’s efforts against COVID-19, he was initially hailed as a hero, but has faced criticisms recently as the country is still struggling to lower the number of daily new cases. ― Malay Mail

[ IMAGE SOURCE ]

Related reading

Recent Posts

Honor X9c 5G Malaysia: More durable than ever before, priced from RM1,499

Honor has officially launched the Honor X9c 5G here in Malaysia. Despite featuring similar internals…

51 mins ago

Xiaomi’s first clamshell foldable smartphone redefines style in a compact yet powerful form

This post is brought to you by Xiaomi. Combining cutting-edge technology with a sleek, foldable…

2 hours ago

GXBank to rollout GX FlexiCredit this month, GX Biz Banking for MSME coming soon

During its GX 2.0 event, GXBank revealed its new digital financial products aimed at helping…

3 hours ago

GX 2.0: GXBank continues to offer unlimited cashback with some tweaks

GXBank turns one and they have revealed its latest features and initiatives for its next…

4 hours ago

MG ZS EV now available for RM99,999: The cheapest electric SUV in Malaysia

You can now get an MG ZS EV for as low as RM99,999, making it…

5 hours ago

Prime Minister’s Department: Over 1,500 cyberattacks launched at ministries’ infrastructure systems

There have been over 1,500 cases of cyberattacks launched against Malaysian ministries' infrastructure systems in…

10 hours ago

This website uses cookies.