By: Fauzi Syahputra )*
In the digital era, the challenges for holding elections are increasingly complex. Information can spread quickly, both true and false. The media has an important role in fighting hoaxes and disinformation that can influence election results. Cooperation between Bawaslu and the media in identifying and countering hoaxes is very important.
Bawaslu South Sulawesi, held a Media Consolidation event in the Context of Strengthening Reporting during Supervision of the 2024 Simultaneous Election Stages at Cafe Plazgozz, Jalan Yusuf Dg Ngawing, Makassar City some time ago. This event was attended by the Sub Coordinator of the Public Relations & Mass Media Section of Bawaslu RI, Ahmad Ali Imron, and the Head of Data and Information Division of Bawaslu South Sulawesi, Alamsyah.
According to Imron, this activity aims to establish synergy with journalists who work in the Makassar City area and South Sulawesi in general. This is to ensure reporting that is relevant, valid and comes from credible sources. The task of educating the public is not only the task of Bawaslu and the KPU as organizers, but of all elements, especially members of the press.
Bawaslu, as the election supervisory body, has a tough task to ensure that there are no violations during the election process. By collaborating well with the media, Bawaslu can identify and take action against violations more effectively. The media can report violations they find on the ground, putting public pressure on authorities to take action.
Meanwhile, Alamsyah explained that there are four vulnerable points in identifying the process or stages of the 2024 simultaneous regional elections. These vulnerable points are preventing money politics, preventing the neutrality of ASN, TNI and Polri, preventing the politicization of SARA, and preventing negative campaigns. According to Alamsyah, South Sulawesi is always in the red zone category, which means the level of electoral vulnerability is very high.
Political money is one of the biggest challenges in every election. This practice undermines the integrity of elections and reduces public confidence in the democratic process. In this consolidation, Bawaslu emphasized the importance of preventing money politics and asked the media to play an active role in monitoring and reporting any indications of money politics.
The politicization of SARA (Ethnicity, Religion, Race and Intergroup) can trigger social conflict and threaten the integrity of the nation. Therefore, preventing the politicization of SARA is one of the main focuses in election monitoring. The media is expected to be able to educate the public not to be influenced by SARA issues which are used as political tools.
Negative campaigns or black campaigns are strategies used by several parties to bring down political opponents by spreading false information or distorting facts. Bawaslu and the media must work together to ensure that election campaigns run healthily and fairly, without negative campaigns.
In a discussion that included elements of journalists, it was also agreed on the importance of media cooperation to realize the implementation of elections. Those who were asked to be sources were Yakub Prayatama from Media Indonesia and Didit Haryadi, Chairman of AJI Makassar and also a Tempo journalist.
The mass media has a very important role in organizing elections. The media is not only a transmitter of information but also an independent monitor who helps ensure that each stage of the election runs in accordance with applicable regulations. Accurate and objective information from the media can increase public awareness and participation in the democratic process.
One of the goals of this media consolidation is to increase public education and participation in elections. Media has the ability to reach various levels of society and convey information that is easy to understand. With the right information, the public will be more aware of their rights and obligations in elections.
The experience of South Sulawesi, which is always categorized as a red zone but is still able to maintain election security and peace, shows the importance of synergy between all parties, including the media. With good synergy, various challenges and threats to elections can be overcome more effectively.
Collaboration between Bawaslu and the media is not only aimed at monitoring but also improving the quality of elections. With educative and constructive reporting, the media can help create higher quality and more democratic elections. Apart from the media, Bawaslu also needs support from various parties, including the community, NGOs and other institutions. Only with good cooperation can clean, honest and fair elections be realized.
Synergy between Bawaslu and the media is one of the keys to the success of holding elections. With good cooperation, various challenges such as money politics, neutrality of state apparatus, politicization of SARA, and negative campaigns can be overcome. The media has an important role in educating the public and supervising the election process so that elections can run safely, peacefully and democratically.
Strengthening this collaboration needs to continue to be improved so that each stage of the election not only takes place in accordance with the rules, but also reflects the true spirit of democracy, where openness of information and integrity are the main foundations. Thus, it is hoped that active participation from all parties, especially the media, can encourage the creation of clean, transparent and fair elections.
)* The author is a student from Bandung living in Jakarta
