Social media is one way to spread various kinds of information, true or false, false or honest. Fake news or hoaxes are the most anticipated information dissemination by the police. Because the impact of spreading fake news can cause divisions between citizens in Indonesia.
The increase in hoax issues related to the 2024 Election was quite significant from November to December 2023, coinciding with the 2024 Election Campaign period. A total of 203 election hoax issues from November 2023 to January 2 2024 have been identified by Kominfo. Of the 203 hoax issues, the total distribution on digital platforms was 2,882 content with details of 1,325 content on Facebook, 947 content on X aka Twitter, 198 content on Instagram, 342 content on TikTok, 36 content on Snack Video, and 34 content on YouTube.
Vice President of the Republic of Indonesia (Wapres RI) KH Ma’ruf Amin warned the Indonesian people to be wary of false information (hoaxes). Be careful of misleading information, lots of hoaxes and incorrect information. Don’t accept all the news easily. Differences are normal in holding general elections, so that people do not need to worry and can accept diversity in making choices.
The public must be able to filter information first before it is disseminated, as well as apply the tabayun concept or check information so that the validity of the information conveyed is tested. This is because the Indonesian nation will easily split if provoked,
Meanwhile, the Director General of IKP Kominfo, Usman Kansong, said that the publication of Circular Letter Number 9 of 2023 concerning Ethics in the use and utilization of Artificial Intelligence (AI) is expected to be a guide for the public in the appropriate and transparent use of AI technology.
This Ethics Guide is also a rule that can provide legal certainty regarding the use of AI and prevent misuse of AI in the Presidential and General Elections. In the future, specific and comprehensive regulations related to AI will be formed through Presidential Decrees and Laws so that they can strengthen laws regarding AI.
Meanwhile regarding AI regulations, Founder & Chairman of The Indonesia Cyber Security Forum (ICSF), Ardi Sutedja, said it was important to strengthen regulations and educate about technological developments including AI. This is important to prevent misuse of AI and the spread of incorrect information or hoaxes in society, including during the 2024 presidential election.
In line with this, Kasihumas Berau Police, Inspector Suradi, said that hoaxes could be a serious threat to the smoothness of the democratic process and the peace of society. Therefore, security forces through the Task Force (Satgas), one of which is the Berau Police Preemptive Task Force, continues to coordinate with various parties to take preventive steps.
The Berau Police Preemptive Task Force is also active in providing education to the public regarding how to check the authenticity of information before distributing it. Socialization activities are carried out online and offline, including through meetings with various community groups.
The public is always advised to use trusted sources of information and verify any information before spreading it. In this way, we can prevent the spread of fake news which can harm many parties.
Minister of Communication and Information (Menkominfo) Budi Arie Setiadi explained a tactic that ensures that the 2024 elections can take place safely and peacefully. One of them is by taking down content that contains hoaxes, slander and hate speech. So, if there is an issue, Kominfo will verify whether the news is fake news, slander or hate speech. If you fall into this category, a takedown is immediately carried out. He asked all parties to play an active role in maintaining a safe and comfortable digital space during the 2024 elections by not spreading hoax issues.
Lecturer in Communication Sciences, Faculty of Social and Political Sciences (FISIP) Pasundan University, Tresia Wulandari, said that socialization is the most effective way to provide understanding to the public so that they are not easily provoked by hoaxes. Millennials and Gen-Z play an important role in countering hoaxes that are increasingly circulating on social media ahead of the 2024 election. As a generation that is familiar with social media, they are expected to be able to fight the spread of hoaxes.
As is known, the spread of hoaxes increased drastically after the presidential and vice presidential candidates were determined some time ago. Hoaxes also circulated massively after the presidential and vice presidential debate held by the KPU.
It is hoped that all levels of society will not be easily provoked by information that has not been verified. Hoaxes can destroy harmony and create instability in society. Let’s together prevent the spread of hoaxes in order to create quality and peaceful elections,
Commitments to maintain security conditions during the 2024 election process and appeals to the public to remain calm and not be influenced by information whose truth is not yet clear continue to be made by election organizing institutions and security forces. Cooperation between all parties and the community can create a conducive and peaceful situation ahead of and during the 2024 elections.
Let’s maintain a conducive atmosphere in our respective environments, it’s better to take precautions, to make prevention easier by prioritizing education and outreach efforts to the community both in real life and through cyberspace, reminding all elements of society to use social media wisely, avoid undesirable things, including those that could result in criminal violations.
It is hoped that all these efforts will be effective steps in building public awareness and involvement in maintaining security and order, especially ahead of the 2024 elections.