- The author is an observer of social and political problems
By: Akbar Maulana *
Lately the public has been enlivened with the term “Russian Propaganda”. Some time ago presidential candidate number 01, Jokowi, stated that his opponents had used “Russian Propaganda” or “Firehose of Falsehood” in political campaigns ahead of the 2019 Presidential Election. The use of Jokowi’s term Russian Propaganda did not only get a response stronghold of his opponent in the 2019 Presidential Election, but by Russia through the Russian Embassy in Indonesia. The Russian Embassy in Indonesia said the country did not interfere in the Presidential Election contest in Indonesia, quoted from the official Twitter account of the Russian Embassy in Indonesia, @RsEmbJakarta.
Spokesperson for the National Campaign Team (TKN) Joko Widodo-KH Ma’ruf Amin, Ace Hasan Syadzily explained the statement of Russian Propaganda made by their presidential candidates not referring to a particular country (Russia), but rather a term. Ace described ‘Russian propaganda’ or the firehose of falsehood used by Prabowo’s camp. Prabowo’s camp was called using a method that provoked controversy, accusing political opponents of lying, making people afraid.
This leads to Prabowo’s statement – Sandiaga which has similarities with the above characteristics. In addition to the hoax case of Ratna Sarumpaet, Paslon number 02 repeats the issue of criminalizing fishermen and village heads delivered at the first debate. Ace also revealed, before the community was rhetoric in 2030 Indonesia broke up, Indonesia was extinct, 99% of Indonesians lived mediocre, ATM temples thin, Minister of Printing Debt, prices of staples soared, chickhen rice in Singapore was cheaper than in Indonesia , the criminalization of clerics, foreign henchmen, henchmen, the dialysis hose at RSCM was used by 40 people, Hardi died of suicide in Grobogan because of being in debt, looks at Boyolali, distrust of election organizers, 7 containers of ballot papers, and others. These issues have indeed succeeded in making a political uproar, which has an impact on the increasing tension of political issues ahead of the 2019 Presidential Election.
Russian Propaganda, also known as the “Firehouse of Falsehood”, is a propaganda technique that has the characteristic of carrying out obvius lies in order to build public fear, the aim of which is to gain political position while at the same time dropping the political position of its opponents more than once or repetitive action. Russian-style propaganda was known in 2014 when the country would annex the Crimean Peninsula, Ukraine. Russia used all kinds of false information and channels massively and planned to stir opinions.
Responding to the polemic, FISIP UI Professor Arbi Sanit said Russian-style propaganda was an attempt to brainwash. Arbi explained, in the current Indonesian context, Russian-style propaganda aimed at brainwashing the lower classes of society. Arbi also criticized the KPU’s policy which was considered too long in providing a campaign period for legislative candidates and presidential candidate pairs. The campaign period was too long for participants of the Election to use propaganda.
Meanwhile, Director of Political Communication at TKN Usman Kansong revealed that the statement was issued by Jokowi, given the danger posed by the campaign method. This burst of lies threatens the integrity of the country. Usman revealed that the use of Russian propaganda was indicated by the use of foreign consultants by the opposition Paslon. The track record of utilizing foreign consultants has been seen since the 2014 and 2009 Presidential Elections. He continued, in 2009 opposition candidates had also used foreign consultants. At that time, he was paired with Megawati Sukarnoputri. “But the one who requested was Mr. Prabowo and Mrs. Mega himself who did not like it,” Usman said.
With Russian-style propaganda, which can be repeated over and over again can brainwash the community, so that objective data will have no value anymore. The massive fabrication of slander and hoax will affect the community and the quality of our democracy. For this reason, the public is demanded to be smart in responding to the bursts of issues raised in the mass media and social media, not to be easily consumed by slander and hoax that can divide the national unity. Do not let this five-year moment damage your brotherhood and friendship just because of differences in political choices. Grow up in politics.
- The author is an observer of social and political problems
