Not everyone is comfortable being recorded for social media content - Tasha Manshahar

Singer and educator Tasha Manshahar has voiced her disappointment over the misuse of a short video clip of herself for social media content, highlighting a concerning lapse in professional ethics. The incident, which occurred at her school in Melaka, involved a monitoring officer who requested to record a brief five-second video. While Tasha, accustomed to such requests, obliged professionally, she was later dismayed to find the clip incorporated into the officer's social media vlog without adequate explanation or context.

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Recently, there was a video of an officer that went viral on social media. Most of his content is vlogging while monitoring schools around Melaka.

What particularly irked Tasha was not just the unauthorized use of her image, but the subsequent content and comments associated with the video. She felt these were misleading and could potentially lead to slander, damaging her carefully maintained image as both a public figure and an educator. As a teacher, Tasha emphasizes the importance of upholding a professional demeanor, and she believes the monitoring officer, especially one from the Department of Religious Affairs, should have been more mindful of ethical conduct and the potential repercussions of such actions.

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I also came to my school recently. On that day, he entered the women's teachers' room to meet me and asked to record a five-second video.

This situation underscores a broader issue regarding consent and the responsible use of media in the digital age. Tasha rightly points out that not everyone is comfortable being recorded, especially when the background audio or accompanying commentary might be misconstrued. She stresses the necessity of obtaining explicit permission before sharing content that involves other individuals, particularly to prevent defamation and uphold respect for personal reputation.

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I looked normal in the video because I treated the individual professionally. It's not the first time someone wanted to take pictures or record videos because they know me.

From our perspective at Utusan Malaysia, Tasha's experience serves as a crucial reminder for all professionals, especially those in positions of authority or public trust. While the digital world offers unprecedented opportunities for connection and information sharing, it also demands a heightened awareness of privacy and ethical boundaries. We believe that individuals like Tasha, who strive to maintain integrity in their professional lives, deserve to have their image and reputation protected. This incident highlights the need for clearer guidelines and greater accountability in how personal interactions are captured and disseminated online, particularly within educational and religious institutions.

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I asked him what I should say in the video. But he replied that I didn't need to say anything. I chatted a bit to ease the awkwardness that filled the teachers' room, witnessed by several female teachers who were present at the time.