By: Zainudin Ikhwan (Netizen / Independent Social Media Activist Volunteer)
Various incidents of violence that occurred some time ago in Papua which caused material loss and even life, one of which was caused by hoax news which was used as propaganda various elements both from within and outside the country to create instability in Papua. At present the authorities are continuing to resolve these cases in the context of law enforcement in order to create a conducive region of Papua.
Meanwhile, various results of the investigation of these events, the Government sniffed the involvement of the Free Papua Organization (OPM) and Chair of the United Liberation Movement for West Papua (ULMWP), Benny Wenda, in various riots that occurred in Wamena, Jayawijaya, Papua.
They are the ones who are deliberately building riots so that the outside world supports the independence of Papua and West Papua.
Including the presence and propaganda of foreign media can make the tension that occurs increasingly high. How not, not a few media that make propaganda issues and hoaks war online. One of them is the well-known News Agency in the same class as Reuters (UK) and Al Jazeera (Qatar) who participated in spreading false news about the deaths of Papuans who were killed in mass actions in the riot conflict that occurred before in Wamena.
This also often happens not only in Papua. Of course there is a high level agenda or game in this media Propaganda which is not easily challenged and resolved in a short time. Cooperation between various elements of the nation is needed to counter foreign involvement, especially foreign media, through propaganda that threatens Indonesia’s sovereignty in international forums.
In the case of Papua in particular, there are large countries playing along with these countries becoming a hotbed for AMP Alumni and OPM leaders. And they were ready with the draft to bring humanitarian issues to the UN General Assembly, but fortunately they did not get special attention at the Human Rights Summit and at the UN activities some time ago. But we still have to be vigilant and anticipate through diplomacy efforts to provide understanding and confidence that the Indonesian Government has been very serious in developing Papua and pay attention to human rights issues in handling various acts of violence committed by armed criminal groups in Papua.
Therefore, at least Indonesia needs to not only learn to fight hoaxes from international media but also get political support. This is important if there is intervention at the UN and it reaches the Security Council. There are only 5 countries that have this authority (US, UK, France, China and Russia). On the other hand the government must be firm with regard to the presence of foreigners in Papua who carry out activities that violate the permits granted. Because they are the ones who often provoke and incite Papuans to do things that are not constitutionally justified or applicable laws in Indonesia.
The role of the national media was also enhanced, in order to create a conducive situation in this country. This is what is expected of the national media in order to understand the importance of their role in combating foreign media hoax. National media must also be optimal in its reporting related to the seriousness and hard work of the Government of Indonesia, President Jokowi developing Papua, this is important in building public optimism about Papua, in addition to counteracting foreign propaganda, so that Papua is no longer impressed as a vulnerable and underdeveloped region then used these opinions by various elements to provoke the people of Papua and the international world.
They (foreign media) want to create and explain to the international world that there has been a crime against humanity in Papua.
That is why it is important that we work together with national media, to stem the power of foreign media in making propaganda by spreading invalid news. In order to create peace, especially the smooth development in the land of Papua, which is the attention of President Jokowi in order to advance Indonesia.