By: Alfred Jigibalom)*
Development in Papua is still hindered by provocative content and hoaxes. Although the disturbance is not physical, it is quite disturbing, because it can affect people’s psychological factors. All people (not just those living in Papua) are asked not to believe and spread hoaxes, for the sake of mutual convenience.
Hoax is fake news or images that are intentionally spread for certain purposes. While provocative content is content on social media that is intentionally created and viral, so that people are emotional. Usually provocative content is created by political buzzer teams to overthrow their opponents (black campaign).
Unfortunately, hoaxes and provocative content about Papua have been circulating on social media and some have taken their breath away, because the narrative is almost true. In fact, if examined, what is used is a fake photo because it was taken in another place and the incident is not as told in the hoax.
The first hoax about Papua was when a house of worship was reportedly set on fire. In fact, when investigated by the cyber team, the incident did not occur in Papua, but in Sulawesi. Also, it happened in 2019. So it is certain that the photos and news are wrong.
In addition, hoaxes and provocative content that had circulated on social media were when it was reported that the apparatus in Papua was pursuing KST (formerly KKB) with the aim of destroying the Melanesian race. Even though the hoax was deliberately created and spread by the KST team, in order to attract public sympathy. In fact, KST is being pursued because they are causing trouble and killing police officers and civilians in Papua.
Hoaxes and provocative content are very annoying because they can poison the minds of readers. Don’t let us believe in its existence, and filter it before sharing. When there is a hoax then check whether it is a fact or just a hoax, and how to check it is also enough to open the internet.
Hoaxes can also hinder development because if there is a lot of negative news about Papua, local and foreign investors will be afraid to invest there, so that modernization in Cendrawasih Earth will be hampered. In addition, workers brought in from Java and other islands will refuse to be invited to work in Papua and projects will stall. So that the loss is the Papuan people themselves.
Papuan youth activist Steve Mara stated that hoax news in cyberspace can affect people’s mindset and behavior. Moreover, in everyday life we use the internet, so it is quite influential. In a sense, only one brief news circulating on portals or social media can trigger people’s emotions and consequently can damage the development process in Papua.
Steve added that hoax news about Papua could be spread abroad and was detrimental because it could be read by the public. In a sense, if this continues, foreign tourists will be afraid to take a vacation to Earth of Cendrawasih so that foreign exchange is reduced. As a result, the Papuan APBD can also be reduced and will affect the smooth development. What a terrible negative domino effect.
Therefore Steve suggested that all Papuans spread positive news about the Earth of Cendrawasih. In a sense, this news will counter negative news about the situation on Earth of Cendrawasih. So that it will restore the trust of netizens and development in Papua will be smoother.
Let’s educate the public in sorting out which news is genuine and which is fake or even provocative content. Strain first before sharing. If there is negative news in Papua then it could be just a hoax produced by the OPM and KST, with the aim of hindering development on the Earth of Cendrawasih.
)* The author is a Papuan student living in Surakarta
