DAILY, we scroll through countless news reports and videos. Those with interesting headlines may prompt us to start reading the texts or watching and listening to the contents right to the end, or have clicked out earlier when we felt it was not worth our attention or time.
If we do not filter out information straightaway, garbage will accumulate in our memory and add to our subconsciousness, forming part of our narratives.
And these include the innumerable headlines we glanced through, with most of them meant to bait readers and viewers.
Although most with poor contents will fail to gain more subscribers, these creators would be content to increase the number of views substantially and some viewers click “likes” freely. In any case, all these numbers can be manipulated, so do not be fooled.
Recently, a social news site published an article “If this is M’sia, get me out – Tourist disappointed after security guards allegedly blocked his family from rental unit”. The tourist, who is one part of an influencer-family, took to their social media, accusing the guards of practising discrimination.
He was reported to have said “If this is Malaysia, just get me out of here. You know? If this is how the people are going to be, I really don’t want to be here. If you are black, you know how difficult it sometimes can be just from being profiled.”
However, I think the problem stems from himself. First, he must respect himself and act accordingly. He must prioritise his dignity to earn respect from others. He must value his own worth and have self-esteem, which is the foundation for gaining respect from others.
But he will not get it if he had an oversized ego thinking that he is an influencer and could therefore promote or wreak havoc, and expect to be treated as a pampered guest in a star rated hotel when he was dealing with guards at a condominium whose main task is security.
He had booked a private apartment and did not realise that the rental arrangements were not made clear. After being denied entry, he contacted the owner who told him that the apartment key can be picked up from the unit’s mailbox.
The security guards then asked for and checked the passport before allowing him into the apartment building. He was unhappy that the guards did not apologise, giving him a bad impression of Malaysia, and posted his complaints on social media.
But why should the security guards apologise when they are doing their jobs? They may not be as courteous as hotel staff but unlikely to look down on others, as they themselves are foreigners eking out a living in Malaysia, far away from home.
In any case, why discredit Malaysia with a damning headline just because of one incident? Was he all out to grab attention just to increase his subscribers, likes and views at the expense of the host country he is visiting?
He has many videos posted online in YouTube, Instagram and TikTok, but it is not my intention to name and shame him.
Instead, I call upon readers to not only be aware of misleading headlines, but also to filter them out straightaway to prevent them from influencing us, including influencers. – March 12, 2025
YS Chan is master trainer for Mesra Malaysia and Travel and Tours Enhancement Course and an Asean Tourism Master Trainer. He is also a tourism and transport business consultant.
The views expressed are solely of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Focus Malaysia.
Main image: Pexels/dlxmedia.hu
