Inappropriate social media content among top complaints

PETALING JAYA: Inappropriate and harmful content found on social media platforms was among the top complaints lodged with the Content Forum’s Complaints Bureau in 2021.

The Communications and Multimedia Content Forum of Malaysia (Content Forum), an independent organisation that oversees and promotes self-regulation of content, said that 412 (or 69%) of the 600 complaints it received last year were related to inappropriate or sensitive content found on the Internet.

“This is significant growth from 169 similar complaints raised in 2020.

“This involves content found on heavily used platforms like You-Tube, Facebook, Twitter, Insta-gram, TikTok and Snapchat, to name a few.

“These platforms contain a massive amount of unfiltered and unregulated content that consumers of all ages see every day,” it said in a statement.

In addition, the bureau received complaints from the public via their portal, emails and letters on various content issues ranging from advertising and broadcasting to mobile.

In encouraging a safe virtual space for all, Content Forum executive director Mediha Mahmood said consumers and content creators should practise self-regulation.

“All social media platforms have their community guidelines, so if you see anyone breaching them, use your right to lodge a report.

“If you see content that you find offensive but doesn’t breach these guidelines, then exercise your power to block, mute or unfollow,” she said.

She added that a useful resource for self-regulation is the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Content Code, which provides guidelines outlining best practices and ethical standards for content creation and consumption across all digital media platforms.

She encouraged Internet users to review their privacy settings, adopt parental controls, strengthen passwords, verify connections, avoid oversharing and be vigilant when using the Internet.

The Content Forum is registered under the Malaysian Communi-cations and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) and designated by the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998.

It consists of content industry players, including advertisers, broadcasters, content creators, distributors, audio text hosting services providers, Internet service providers and civic groups.

It also houses a complaints bureau that is empowered to address all complaints relating to content disseminated over electronic networks, including investigating possible breaches of the content code, mediating disputes, adjudicating cases, publishing orders and imposing sanctions where necessary.