By: Rani Apriliani (Independent Social Media Activist)
Almost every time there is a big event, it is always followed by news hoaks and even hate speech. If not long ago the hoaks were busy because of the political year, the latest hoaks have spread because of the Corona Virus outbreak.
Among the striking cases that occur on social media, such as one public figure who claims that every day there is always a doctor who dies, instantly making the public anxious. The statement sparked fierce debate, to the narratives that actually made many people feel hopeless and hopeless.
Ironically, the public figure introduced himself as a doctor so that it became a reference for many parties even when speaking of the Corona pandemic.
Even so, there is something to be thankful for, this activist person has provided clarification that the previous statement related to the doctor who dies every day, is not true. Nevertheless, this clarification does not then make a negative narrative that is destructive can be unstoppable.
Moreover, not a few who still make the statement as a reference, reference material, to become ammunition to attack each other. Especially on social media.
This view has long been the spotlight among experts. One of them, observations by Mary Aiken which is poured into the book Cyber Effect Psychology (2016) which states that online trends do tend to be altruistic so that they can make someone look like they really are, because they can portray themselves as generous or most concerned about something.
Then public sympathy arose over the figure and made him a hero. Even worse, things that are not right that they do can be imaged into something that is true. In this case, a hoax is considered normal and certainly dangerous because it can shape the minds of the wider community and even influence its behavior.
Aiken also mentioned that the cyber effect makes many people easily believe in people they know in cyberspace. One proof is, even personal information is easily given to people they trust, apart from the two people never know each other even never face to face directly
Even worse, these conditions make people tend to underestimate the issue of security. They tend to feel safe when communicating with each other in cyberspace. No wonder if a hoaks of information can be spread more easily.
Evidently, according to data from the National Police Headquarters (Indonesian Police Headquarters), in March 2020, there were already 70 cases of hoaks they handled. Noted, the East Java Regional Police have handled 11 cases, followed by the Jakarta Metropolitan Police 10 cases, in addition to that in West Java Criminal Investigation and Lampung which each handled 5 cases.
Of course, the Police effort in suppressing such hoaxes is very much needed, although if you monitor developments in social media there are many more that are spared because of the speed with which hoaxes develop to viral.
When mapped, the development of hoaks occurs due to accidental factors , but not a little because of accidental factors.
However, accidentally cannot be justified. Because, accidental can still have a dangerous impact. The public is made even more noisy and frightened and even worse can disrupt the work of the Government, while many parties who are in need of focus to deal with the Corona outbreak.
While hoaks that are made intentionally, can have a worse impact. Because intentionality allows there are certain goals for a party.
Regardless of intentional or unintentional , hoaks can still cause unexpected dangers and must be strongly opposed. Resistance is required for all elements of society, especially among warganet and women of the media by posting news or positive and educative information is reinforced with a pound sign (hashtag) or commonly known as hashtag # HidupSehatTangkalCorona and # WarganetBersatuLawanCorona , could be a way to stem hoaks disturbing the public.
Furthermore, in the midst of the many sources of information, still reliable media must contribute so that the public is not trapped in misleading information. Because, this can only make a joint mission to fight the Corona hampered by hoaks and the like.
If this is allowed to happen, instead of being able to reduce the threatening pandemic, it will make it even greater, because the public will become increasingly skeptical and confused who else they should trust.
Moreover, it is no secret, in the midst of the Corona Virus outbreak many parties are more selfish. Instead of returning to their respective positions and acting with their respective capacities, it becomes increasingly difficult and more expensive to handle Corona Virus.
Resistance to hoaks in Corona’s outbreak had become a very important contribution to the success and the success of Indonesia in the future will come.
