By: Rahmad Kurniawan) *
Media is a very important thing for Indonesia, besides that the existence of a healthy media is one of the efforts to keep this country intact. We certainly cannot forget history when the proclamation was read by Ir Soekarno and distributed through Radio broadcast of the Republic of Indonesia.
In addition, the invitation of Bung Tomo’s struggle through Radio has also fueled the enthusiasm of the fighters to unite and fight against the invaders, until finally the Dutch Red and Blue Blue flag can be torn into the Red and White Flag.
This proves that media is a very important bridge, in shaping a person’s attitude and behavior. This will certainly be a boomerang if the media presents provocative news to invite someone to hate something excessively.
At present Indonesia has become independent, there is no more occupation with a threat of arms like several decades ago. The press or media certainly have a role in maintaining the unity and unity of the nation, but the media can also be a deadly weapon, even destroying the unity of the nation that the heroes have struggled to struggle with.
Especially with the easier access to technology that has made information easier to find without wasting a lot of time opening books, magazines or newspapers.
It is undeniable that the information provided also provides news that is not quiet, but leads the public to accept news from the side of the furor.
The rise of unclear information or hoaxes is a reflection of problems that can threaten national unity. The 2019 election was also inseparable from hoaxes which increasingly made some warganet raging, such as allegations of containers containing ballots, arriving at alleged persecution of Ratna Sarumpaet who turned out she had just undergone plastic surgery.
If the hoax news is not dealt with immediately, of course more people will be incited by the circulation of this information.
Especially with the presence of social media, all parties can suddenly become a journalist without having to make a fuss about writing news, just click the share button so that all friends and followers can access the information.
Until whenever the media must play a role in maintaining political stability, because like food, if the information provided is nutritionally loaded information, of course the recipient of media products in the form of news and information, will be able to address the news wisely.
Moreover, Indonesia has a diversity of ethnic groups and religions, the media are also required to be able to become a non-offensive forum related to SARA.
In addition to providing information, the media, both mass and electronic media, should be an educational institution for the wider community.
Because the media should preach something that is not only precise and accurate, but also can increase people’s knowledge.
Karyono Wibowo as Executive Director of the Indonesian Public Institute (IPI) once said that the media has a very strategic role. His position is very important in community life.
In this case, the media seemed to master its role in making people as people who were tolerant of differences, or flammable and incited people with provocative sentences.
Especially during the 2019 election, there were efforts from certain groups who invited them not to believe in the quick count results, to lead them to distrust mainstream media.
Therefore, Media has social responsibility, where there are 2 things that must be done by the media both mainstream and online. Namely, taking part in maintaining order, security and peace, and the most important thing is to save democracy.
In addition to the media, internet users or netizens also need to be wise in accepting all available information. In reading online news start with skepticism by not easily believing until you find other comparative information.
Netizens also don’t just make conclusions based on the headline only, but read the news thoroughly and then look for a comparison from the mainstream media, if indeed the information is useful, please share it, but if the information turns astray, we have the power of our thumb not to share information that is.
) * The author is an activist at the Library Institute