MELAKA, 23 FEBRUARY 2016 – The Faculty of Communication and Media Studies (FKPM), Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) Melaka, together with The Communications and Multimedia Consumer Forum of Malaysia (CFM) organized an awareness event, ViRAL16 (Voice is Raised Anonymously) to understand the rise in Malaysia of the viral phenomenon on social media. The event was held in conjunction with CFM’s 15th Anniversary together with the 10th Anniversary of the presence of FKPM in Universiti Teknologi MARA Melaka.

The event was officiated by Deputy Minister for the Ministry of Communication and Multimedia Malaysia, YB Dato’ Jailani Johari.

The inaugural ViRAL16 was organized with the objective of scrutinizing current issues faced by social media users as well as to enhance the understanding of the viral phenomenon in Malaysia. It is becoming increasing common for social media users in Malaysia to have privacy issues when getting on social media. With the introduction of ViRAL16, it helped to create the right platform to discuss and share ideas on issues related to the viral phenomenon on social media in Malaysia.

“With close to 19 million users, Malaysia has a thriving social media community with most of the local netizens turning to social media platforms to have their voices heard. ViRAL16 is expected to open up our minds, primarily among the youth, which form the largest group of the Malaysian social media demographics,” said Univeristi Teknologi MARA Melaka Campus Rector, Associate Professor Dr Mohd Adnan Hashim,

With ViRAL16 speakers sharing their invaluable experience and expertise, the public was enlightened by the intricate interdependencies of social media, especially how fast content is shared at an exponential rate. Some of the local speakers of ViRAL16 who took part in the event included: Dato’ Zaini Hassan – Assistant Editor In Chief Kumpulan Utusan; Mr Suhaimi Sulaiman – TV Personality; Mr Faiz Dickie – Social Media Personality, CambridgeIV Finalist among others.

“In the Internet age, social media is increasingly becoming the platform of choice for enhancing awareness and knowledge about the communications and multimedia services in Malaysia. We are very proud and happy to be partnering with The Faculty of Communication and Media Studies (FKPM), UiTM Melaka that allows us to engage one of the “power user” segments of the consumers. With CFM’s 15th Anniversary marking this collaboration, consumers can expect nothing short of a thrilling journey into consumer awareness in Malaysia,” said the Chairman of CFM, Megat Ishak Ma’amunor Rashid.

ViRAL16 attracted thousands of visitors who attended and participated in this exciting event which connected people through content and conversations around emerging trends in social media, particularly on how information is shared widely and rapidly on the internet. It is expected to increase the participants awareness on the issues and highlight the impact of social media on consumer empowerment in the Communications and Multimedia industry in Malaysia.

ViRAL16 is the first collaboration between CFM and The Faculty of Communication and Media Studies, Universiti Teknologi MARA Melaka. The event was an academic discourse organized by the Final Year students of Diploma in Communication and Media Studies, Universiti Teknologi MARA Melaka.

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About CFM
The Communications and Multimedia Consumer Forum of Malaysia (CFM) was established and designated by the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) in 2001. It is a platform for the industry and the consumers/public to make coherent and constructive contributions to service improvements and policy development.

CFM is tasked with, amongst others, to promote the growth of Malaysia’s communications and multimedia industry and the protection of consumer interests by fostering the highest standards of business ethics and behaviour through industry self-governance. CFM is also a channel for complaints redress on Communications and Multimedia services.

If you have unresolved complaints about your Communications and Multimedia services, please lodge your complaint by visiting CFM’s complaint portal,www.complaint.cfm.org.my or call our toll-free number 1-800-18-2222. For more information, visit CFM’s website at www.cfm.my or write in to enquiries@cfm.org.my.

Media Contacts:

Noor Shahdiella Abd Mananshahdiella@cfm.my019-3246036
Roharrashidah Abdul Halilroharrashidah@cfm.my017-8961588
Razaleigh Zainrazaleigh@cfm.my019-4170766