KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 5 — Misinformation has become a growing threat across societies, and the rise of deepfake technology has made it even harder to tell what is real and what is fake.
From fake news to AI-generated scams that mimic familiar voices or faces, false content is now more convincing and more dangerous.
While these tools have evolved, the public’s ability to detect manipulation has not kept pace.
This is where media literacy becomes essential.
“People often think media literacy is just about spotting fake news, but it goes much deeper than that. It’s about understanding how messages are made, why they are made, and how they can shape what we think or believe,” said David Chak, co-founder and director of Arus Academy, who leads the Media Education for All programme.
According to Chak, teaching media literacy starts with three basic questions:
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What is the message?
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How is it being framed?
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And why does it exist?
He said that understanding the motive behind a message is crucial, especially in emotionally charged situations.
“We encourage people to look at the content, the language, and the intention behind any message. Sometimes, misinformation is shared with good intentions, like the belief that drinking hot water can prevent Covid-19. But disinformation is different. It’s created to deceive, and that intention makes it far more harmful,” he said.
Citing the growing trend of AI being used to mimic real voices, Chak said several scam cases in Malaysia have involved victims receiving phone calls that sound exactly like a friend, parent, or employer, often asking for urgent help involving money.
He explained that scammers often collect voice samples from WhatsApp voice notes, Instagram stories, or public videos to recreate someone’s voice.
Once they have enough data, the tools to generate convincing audio are widely available and inexpensive.
“Imagine getting a call from someone who sounds just like your mum, saying she’s in trouble and needs money fast. She’s fine but the voice is convincing because it was cloned using AI.
“That’s why we tell people not to trust the voice alone. If something feels off, verify it using a method you trust. Call back through a saved number or use a video call,” he said.
Besides scams, deepfakes and AI-generated misinformation can also divide society or influence public opinion. — Picture by Firdaus Latif
Besides scams, deepfakes and AI-generated misinformation can also divide society or influence public opinion. — Picture by Firdaus Latif
The deeper risk beyond money
While scams can cause serious financial damage, Chak warned that the greater threat lies in how deepfakes and AI-generated misinformation could divide society or influence public opinion.
“Imagine a deepfake video showing someone disrespecting a mosque. Even if it’s fake, the emotional impact could be immediate and serious.
“People tend to believe first and ask questions later. If trust in the media and institutions breaks down, it’s very hard to recover,” he said.
He also explained that younger Malaysians, despite being more digitally fluent, are more easily influenced due to their heavy reliance on social media for information.
Meanwhile, he said older adults remain vulnerable in different ways, often unaware of how these technologies can be used in scams.
“Young people are not watching Public Service Announcements on TV anymore. They are on TikTok, YouTube, and Instagram. That’s where education needs to happen,” he said.
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