LETTER | Whenever there is an opportunity, I read news sites and watch social media platforms to keep abreast with local, regional, and global affairs that may have happened in the distant past or recently, or are currently developing.

But what occurred or is unfolding and what is reported can be very different. It is acceptable if reports on the same event differ slightly, as reporters have their own perspectives and interpretations.

However, many reports framed as news have hidden agendas to credit or discredit people, places, organisations, or achievements.

Often, I could tell just by reading how the heading is worded.

Media bias can range from subtle to brutal, and many resort to yellow journalism that emphasises sensationalism, exaggeration, and scandal over factual or verified information in order to sell newspapers or generate online clicks.

Stirring hate for personal agenda

However, what I detest most are reading reports of those stirring up hate to advance their personal agenda at the expense of others.

Unfortunately, too many people are gullible and fall for this trick. Emotion is a double-edged sword, which can heal or harm.

Sadly, many people often choose to hate over love because despise is defensive, simple, and energising. While love requires vulnerability, patience, and a willingness to compromise the ego, hate provides an illusion of control.

It projects an image of strength and helps people easily assign blame instead of confronting their own fears. They view others of a different race, religion, or language as existential threats.

The most extreme are those who embraced another religion. They publicly condemn the ethnicity, mother tongue, and faith they were born or grew up with, seeking to gain acceptance from a larger number of people.

Extremists and gullible people

Those who genuinely love the communities they identify with would take concrete steps to uplift their race, religion, and language.

However, these require real hard work. Instead, it would be much easier to be popular by condemning others, as many people are more emotional than rational.

However, reports of ugly comments by extremists who portray themselves as champions would only stir up more hatred in our society, and will soon reach fever pitch towards the next general election.

Hatred has been exploited to the hilt by politicians and pseudo-politicians. Granted, politics is everywhere, including in public and private sector bodies and NGOs.

If there is too much hate and too little love now, it is likely to get worse soon.

The views expressed here are those of the author/contributor and do not necessarily represent the views of Malaysiakini.