The Malaysian Media Council (MMC) has launched Semak Berita (SB), a public initiative to help verify dubious, fabricated, or misused election-related content. The pilot mechanism began 29th June 2026 in conjunction with the Johor state election.
Bernama reported that Semak Berita will be operational throughout the election period to facilitate rapid verification, coordination among relevant stakeholders, and the dissemination of verified information to the general public.
“During election seasons, false information is no longer just rumours. It can take the form of convincing news graphics, fabricated screenshots, misappropriated media logos, invented statements, illegitimate election results, or content created and manipulated with artificial intelligence technologies.
“When legitimate media organisations’ names and logos are used to spread falsehoods, the consequences go beyond a single newsroom. Public trust in the entire media ecosystem has been eroded,” it said in a statement.
According to the MMC, updates, clarifications, and public records related to Semak Berita will be made available at sb.majlismedia.my.
In the same statement, MMC chairperson Tan Sri Nallini Pathmanathan stated that Semak Berita was established to answer one simple question: whether a piece of content was genuinely published by the media organisation it claims to represent.
“The Malaysian Media Council is not the arbiter of political truth. Manifestos, campaign claims, and political party debates are not subject to our jurisdiction.
“The line we draw is simple: was this content legitimately published by the newsroom in question?” “That is a fact that can be verified quickly,” she stated.
Nallini stated that the campaign is not intended to discourage public participation, but rather to encourage citizens to engage more responsibly by relying on reliable information.
“During elections, citizens have every right to read, share, debate, and participate. But healthy participation requires trustworthy information. Before believing and before sharing, ask first: who said it, and what is the source?” she added.
The MMC will serve as the primary coordinating body under the initiative, with participating media organisations being asked to appoint a primary verification officer and an alternate contact to ensure prompt verification throughout the election period.
“When content is disputed, such as fake graphics bearing media logos, manipulated news screenshots, false claims about polling stations, or illegitimate election results, the MMC will help coordinate verification with the relevant parties,” it stated.
The council emphasised that Semak Berita does not give the MMC any new powers and does not replace the functions of newsrooms, enforcement agencies, regulators, or the Election Commission. Instead, it serves as a temporary coordination mechanism during the Johor state election and will be evaluated once its pilot phase is completed.
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