'Media playing positive' role in crisis reporting

(MENAFN- Arab News) Citizens have a responsibility much like the media to prevent the spread of rumors and false information during times of crises experts said recently.
Shoura Council member Faez Al-Shahri said rumors tend to spread when there is a lack of awareness about issues. He said there are also those who purposely want to spread incorrect information to undermine individuals and the country.
Al-Shahri said the development of new communication platforms has made it easy for rumors to spread rapidly to many people. This type of information can affect the morale of young people he was quoted as saying in a local publication on Wednesday.
He said social media sites have many people impersonating others to create division among tribes and communities in the Kingdom. People must learn to recognize this type of fraud and not pass on this information to others he said.
Saud Kateb press spokesman at the Ministry of Culture and Information said citizens must get their information from accredited national sources. He praised the media for reporting accurately on recent events in Yemen especially after the Defense Ministry released information on its activities.