SUNGAI SIPUT, 25 JUNE 2023 – In an effort to combat the rampant spread of false news, undergraduate students from Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) Shah Alam organised the ‘See Me Thru’ programme, which successfully raised awareness among students about the dangers of false news. The two-day programme took place at Sekolah Menengah Agama Rakyat (SMAR) Nurul Hidayah in Sungai Siput, Perak, from 23rd to 24th June and saw the participation of 75 students from various year levels.
See Me Thru, an abbreviation for See Media Through, was organised in collaboration with the Service Learning Malaysia (SULAM) programme and centred around the theme ‘Rise of New Media.’ The primary goal of the initiative was to cultivate media literacy and caution among students when selecting and sharing news on social media platforms. By employing interactive and educational modules, the programme aimed to engage students’ minds and enhance their understanding of new media.
A key highlight of the programme was the cooperation extended by the Majlis Agama Islam dan Adat Melayu Perak Darul Ridzuan (MAIPk) and the support provided by MCMC: Klik Dengan Bijak. Additionally, several organisations, including Karangkraf, Galeri Ilmu, Street Garage, Sports Direct, GM Klang, Ibtisam Creative Design, Angkatan Belia Malaysia Future Leader School Cawangan Negeri Perak (MFLS), McDonald’s, Yayasan Basmi Kemiskinan (YBM), and Mr DIY, contributed to the success of the event.
Dr. Mohd Yusof Zulkefli, the coordinator of the SULAM programme and a lecturer at UiTM, emphasised the significance of educating the younger generation, particularly those residing in rural communities who are more susceptible to false news. “Through this initiative, we hope to raise awareness among students and equip them with the necessary skills to identify and evaluate credible information,” Dr. Mohd Yusof Zulkefli stated.
See Me Thru not only provided students with an opportunity to intellectually challenge themselves but also exposed them to various interesting challenges. The programme encouraged critical thinking and responsible social media usage, empowering students to avoid being influenced by false news and misinformation.
Mr. Alie Wahab, the Senior Assistant for Student Affairs at SMAR Nurul Hidayah, lauded the programme’s positive impact on the participants. “Undoubtedly, this programme should be continued as it brings about positive change and equips students with essential skills to navigate the digital landscape,” Mr. Alie Wahab expressed during an interview.
Expressing gratitude to SMAR Nurul Hidayah, collaborating organisations, and all individuals who contributed to the success of the See Me Thru programme, the organisers extended their congratulations to the dedicated members of the See Me Thru programme committee. With the programme’s success, there is optimism that the spread of false news on social media platforms can be curtailed, fostering a more informed and responsible digital community.