Some government officials and politicians are giving credibility to fake news sources by engaging with self-styled whistleblowers and bloggers, says National Federation Party leader and former deputy prime minister Professor Biman Prasad.
Speaking on The Fiji Times online portal The Lens@177, Prof Prasad urged the public to rely on established media organisations for accurate and credible information.
“The unfortunate thing though is some elements, of public offices, public officials, even some politicians have responded to those fake news, bloggers that have an agenda, that lie,” he said.
“Even some government people are responding to these so-called whistleblowers, bloggers, self-style analysts.”
Prof Prasad said some of the individuals behind misinformation campaigns were based overseas and were deliberately spreading false narratives to target people they disliked.
“Some are leaving, some who have left the country 30 years ago, 40 years ago, sitting somewhere overseas, are fabricating, concocting, doctoring information to create dislike of people they don’t like.”
Prof Prasad said the spread of manipulated and misleading information posed a challenge for public discourse and decision-making.
“So, what I am saying is, my message to the people is, trust the mainstream media. Read the mainstream media. Listen to the mainstream media for credibility.”
