By: Rohmat soleh )*
Although only as a news anchor, journalists also have an important role in preventing various types of hoaxes for the sake of the success of the 2020 elections.
Hoax, or what is known as hoax news seems to still be intense milling about on social media. Conscious or not, it seems that the users seem ignorant when they act on the various false news. They just click and share without first checking the truth related to the news. In fact, the real impact of the spread of hoaxes is increasingly alarming. Besides that now it is able to lead the news disseminator to be jailed.
Not only social media users, here, the central role of journalists here is, how journalists themselves are able to present news that can ward off hoaxes and provocative news. Which, spread very quickly through various media, especially on the social media platform.
Besides being demanded by professionalism in working, the fact is that the journalist has an educator role for the community. This relates to the content presented. If the content distributed educates and has benefits, the results will provide an increase in the value of life for the readers later.
There are actually a lot of positive contents, for example journalistic works that can provide new insights, technological developments to good humanities reviews. Thus, people will gain understanding and new understanding related to more advanced life after reading the news.
Another important thing that also requires the role of the journalist is the holding of the 2020 elections. It is no longer a secret, ahead of this momentum many false news are found to diverge in the field. Especially if you don’t want to bring down your opponent?
In this case, journalists need to present information that is able to move the community so that they can be actively involved in the movement and development activities. As well as intensely encouraging people not to do things that are not in line with the constitution.
Not only that, journalism also has the power to influence and change people’s behavior. Journalists can also counteract the spread of various hoaxes with more positive comparison posts. For example, an appeal not to share posts that are less educative, or even invites fellow users of social media to always check the truth before continuing the news.
The lightest effect of hoax news is disturbing the public and the most severe is what causes traumatic for its victims. Nevertheless, awareness to counter all hoax news in this community needs to be increased. For example, there is education related to hoaxes, the characteristics of news hoaxes, how to check it and the efforts to ward it off and fight it.
The press also has a code of ethics or written rules which can be applied to bring about peace. Namely, where journalists must not hurt anyone. News made by journalists has a considerable impact, that’s why we must realize that the words and visuals that are published will be able to affect the lives of many people.
In fact, on the Internet or the virtual world, especially on social media, it is possible for anyone to freely write everything, whether it’s good news, bad news or even lies. So users must have the sensitivity to digest information, whether the information is useful or even misleading readers.
Previously, Expert Staff of the Minister of Communication and Information Henri Subianto said that to ward off hoax news requires a public role. Because of this, the government is currently embracing netizens in an effort to ward off hoaxes that are increasingly spreading.
Henri said hoaxes were spread by perpetrators who had evil intentions for economic, business and political interests. He added that the most massive hoax was deliberately built by those who have a number of economic and political agendas.
He suggested that hoaxes could be resisted starting with each individual. Namely, by not spreading any information whose truth is not yet clear accurately.
Furthermore, related to law enforcement, Henri said that the perpetrators of hoaxes will be subject to sanctions in accordance with the applicable ITE Law. Hoax news that can be snared by the ITE Law is that it has news criteria that falsify facts, accuse, or slander. And law enforcement will be carried out if it violates the law and causes harm to the community.
Although this journalist has a capable role, we as citizens also must support them. Namely, by participating against hoaxes and posting various positive and educational news. Besides being good for the camps participating in the upcoming 2020 elections. Pressing the number of hoaxes is considered to provide security and comfort for the whole community. So, what are you waiting for, let’s support the role of journalists as bearers of peace missions by actively blocking hoaxes!
)* The author is an activist for the Jakarta Student Press Association forum