CONTENT creators behind the recent spate of video clips that incite racial tension are expected to lie low or better come forward to spill the beans on who are the brains/masterminds behind their provocative social media content.
Yesterday (Nov 30), the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) and the police have called up the management of social media platform TikTok to provide an explanation for the three video clips that warned of the recurrence of the May 13, 1969 riots.
In a media statement issued late last night, MCMC warned that the circulation of provocative content with the intention of causing disharmony, hatred and prejudice is an offence under the Penal Code (Act 574) that will result in a fine or imprisonment or both if convicted.
The latest joint action by MCMC and police followed a revelation by Malaysiakini earlier in the day that at least three of these videos were indeed paid for when screenshots of them were sent to TikTok for verification.
A Tiktok spokesperson, however, told the news portal that the social media platform was not able to verify if the videos were sponsored by politicians. They also declined to divulge how many videos exactly were paid for.
“The spreading of such video content is an irresponsible act which is feared to cause disharmony, division, feelings of hatred or prejudice in matters related to religion and race,” read the MCMC statement.
“MCMC and PDRM (Royal Malaysia Police) would continue to increase the effort to curb the circulation of such video clips that can potentially threaten public safety,” the communications and multimedia regulator pointed out.
MCMC also advised the public not to share and spread such videos and to report the matter to the MCMC through its portal at https://aduan.skmm.gov.my/; its hotline 1800-188-030 or through Whatsapp at 016-2206 262 or by accessing https://sebenarnya.my/salur/ for information on fake news.
For the uninitiated, the “Paid Partnership” label on TikTok refers to videos that have been made in collaboration with a brand or marketer.
The programme allows for two-way interactions between creators and brands. Advertisers launch branded campaigns and encourage creators to take part in them by developing a brief explaining what the campaign involves.
Creators can decide which campaigns they want to be a part of by creating relevant content. If a creator’s video is selected, the creator will receive a cash payment as well as a boost in traffic.
In order to participate in the “Branded Mission” programme, creators must be at least 18 years old and have at least 1,000 followers. Each “Branded Mission” page will also provide creators an understanding of how much money they could earn if their video is ultimately selected.
When the programme was first rolled out, TikTok said it was the goal of giving both advertisers and creators new ways to achieve their goals. – Dec 1, 2022
Main pic credit: Malaysiakini
