By : Wayan Widiantara )*
As the 2024 Pilkada approaches, the dissemination of information is becoming increasingly intense and prone to manipulation. Therefore, the public is advised to always be wary of hoaxes which are often used as a tool to influence public opinion and sway voter preferences.The public is expected to be more alert and not easily influenced by information whose truth is not yet clear. It is important for every citizen to verify every news they receive, so as not to get caught up in the flow of misleading information that can damage a healthy democratic process.In facing the 2024 Regional Head Election (Pilkada), community participation is crucial in ensuring the smoothness and honesty of the democratic process. The Election Supervisory Agency (Bawaslu) of North Lombok Regency (KLU) has taken proactive steps by holding a Socialization for Participatory Monitoring of the 2024 Election in Sasak Narmada Tanjung.This activity is not only a forum for sharing information, but also an opportunity to build collective awareness of the importance of minimizing fake news (hoaxes) that can disrupt the integrity of the democratic process.In a warm atmosphere, Observer Institutions, Religious Leaders, Traditional and Cultural Leaders, as well as related stakeholders also attended the event. Chairman of PWI NTB, M Nasrudin, as one of the speakers, welcomed Bawaslu KLU’s efforts to increase awareness of the importance of participatory supervision. According to him, cooperation between the authorities and the community is the main foundation in ensuring the continuity of regional elections that are transparent and have integrity.On that occasion, Nasrudin emphasized that the awareness of the people of North Lombok regarding their duties and responsibilities in maintaining the integrity of the 2024 Regional Elections had increased. Through interactive dialogue between Bawaslu and participants, an understanding was formed on the important steps that need to be taken to ensure the election process is fair and free from manipulation.Following this statement, the Chair of West Nusa Tenggara (NTB) Bawaslu, Itratip, explained that the main aim of this activity was to invite all components of society to collaborate with Bawaslu in supervising the Pilkada process which will take place next November. He explained clearly that limited human resources were a serious challenge in monitoring all political activities at the local level. Therefore, active participation from the community is key in detecting and reporting potential violations that occur.
Itratip also emphasized that synergy between Bawaslu and the community is not just a concept, but an urgent need in maintaining the integrity of democracy. In this context, the role of the media is also recognized as a strategic partner in conveying accurate and balanced information to the public. Close collaboration between election organizers and the media is key in conveying important messages related to the stages and procedures of regional elections to the wider community.Meanwhile, far from North Lombok, the General Election Commission (KPU) of Tolitoli, Central Sulawesi (Sulteng) is also strengthening its commitment to building cooperation with media crews to create safe and peaceful regional elections. In a friendly meeting with a number of journalists, the Chairman of the Tolitoli KPU, Junaidi, emphasized the importance of the role of the media as an agent for conveying critical and balanced information.Junaidi realizes that in the current digital era, the media has a very significant role in shaping public opinion and perception. Therefore, close cooperation between the KPU and the media is not an option, but rather a necessity in ensuring transparency and accountability in the democratic process.Apart from that, the active role of the community is also an important point in maintaining the integrity of the regional elections. Didu Sardu, SH, head of a green society group in West Java, emphasized that public awareness in sorting correct information from incorrect can only be realized through collaboration and good communication between people. Especially, amidst the rise of unverified information which is often spread on social media.The important role of society, especially the millennial generation, in overcoming the spread of hoaxes is also in the spotlight. They have the ability to sort information more critically and can act as agents of change in educating the local community about the importance of factual and verified news.Not only that, the government also has the responsibility to provide massive and comprehensive outreach about the dangers of hoaxes and how to overcome them. Rafih Sriwulandari, an academic from Langlangbuana University, highlighted the need for firm action and clear sanctions for spreaders of fake news to reduce the negative impact of hoaxes on the democratic process.With a spirit of togetherness and collective awareness, we can all play a role in maintaining the integrity of the 2024 Pilkada. Collaboration between Bawaslu, the community, the media and the government is the main foundation for preventing hoax news that has the potential to damage democracy.Let us continue to actively participate in monitoring the election, reporting any violations, and not spreading unverified information. Together, we can create honest, fair, and peaceful elections. Stay alert to hoaxes and ensure that any information we receive comes from a trusted source.)* The author is a Contributor to the Persada Institute