KOTA KINABALU: The media must work with enforcement agencies such as the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) to ensure that news which goes out to the public is credible, says Tan Sri Azam Baki.

The MACC chief commissioner said in today’s society, people tend to read less and choose to make assumptions and spread news without verifying information obtained from social media, for example.

“So if you do not ask us for verification or explanation, and put out an article based on your own understanding, that is not fair to us,” he said.

Azam said this during an engagement session with media practitioners in Sabah on Thursday (April 10).

He also said that when the media chose not to contact the authorities such as the MACC for answers, it would make the agency look bad, as if it was hiding something from the public.

“So, let us work together to ensure that news which comes out is credible,” he stressed.

Azam said in the past, teachers and parents would encourage their children to read newspapers, and make reading a part of culture, unlike now, due to digitalisation and technological advancement, people choose to only read “short stories”.

These are some of the challenges faced by not only MACC, but many other agencies, he said.

“We want to build an education society so the value of news must be there. People must not jump to conclusions based on headlines only,” he said.

Azam said the MACC is required to be transparent in its investigations and in updating the public of ongoing cases, especially those of human interest.