By: Haikal Akbar )*
The 2024 regional head elections (Pilkada) are getting closer, and one challenge that continues to haunt this democratic process is the rampant spread of hoaxes on social media. Hoaxes, or fake news, are not a new phenomenon. However, in the digital era like today, the threat is getting bigger.
The rapid spread of information through various social media platforms, coupled with the trend of citizen journalism, has created an environment that is very vulnerable to the spread of inaccurate news. As concerned citizens, we all have an important role to play in monitoring and fighting the spread of these hoaxes in order to maintain the smoothness and transparency of the Pilkada.
Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal, and Security Affairs (Menko Polhukam), Air Marshal TNI (ret.) Hadi Tjahjanto, emphasized that although social media makes it easier to spread information, there is a tendency that the speed of information dissemination often sacrifices accuracy.
The trend of citizen journalism, which prioritizes who is the first to spread information, often results in the circulation of unverified information. This has the potential to mislead the public, especially in a political context such as the regional elections. Whoever spreads the news first is considered to know the most, even though the truth cannot be ascertained.
This not only causes misunderstandings, but can also deepen political polarization in society. The spread of misinformation, or better known as hoaxes, has the potential to divide, create tension, and damage the climate of democracy that should take place honestly and fairly.
Therefore, Hadi emphasized the important role of traditional media in verifying information before it is disseminated. The mass media must be at the forefront in ensuring that the information circulating is accurate and reliable.
Hadi also highlighted the importance of the role of traditional media in the 2024 Pilkada process. In a context where information circulating on social media is often unconfirmed, traditional media has a great responsibility to maintain public trust by presenting credible information.
Responsible media not only reports news, but also carries out the function of monitoring the course of the Pilkada. By ensuring that every stage of the Pilkada runs transparently and fairly, the media helps maintain the integrity of the democratic process.
However, the media must also be careful in disseminating information. Mistakes in reporting or spreading inaccurate news will only damage public trust in the media itself.
If the media loses its credibility, it will be increasingly difficult for the public to distinguish between true information and hoaxes. This will certainly worsen the situation, especially during political campaigns where competition is increasingly fierce and information can be manipulated for the benefit of certain parties.
In addition to the media, the public also has an equally important role in ensuring the smooth running of the 2024 Pilkada. As expressed by the Head of the Bandung Regency Communication and Informatics Service (Diskominfo), Yosep Nugraha, the public must be wiser in receiving and disseminating information.
We all must be able to sort out which information is true and which is false, and not be easily influenced by issues that are not yet clear. The first step in fighting hoaxes is to always clarify information received from trusted sources.
The tendency of people to immediately share unverified information is one of the factors that causes hoaxes to spread quickly. In many cases, people do not realize that spreading false information can have serious consequences, including violating the Electronic Information and Transactions Law (UU ITE). Therefore, people are urged to be more careful in using social media, especially during crucial times such as the regional elections.
One of the areas that also faces the challenge of spreading hoaxes is Bandung Regency, where two pairs of candidates will compete in the upcoming Pilkada. With a large mass base, the potential for spreading fake news is increasing.
As stated by Yosep, differences in political choices are normal in a democracy, but it is important to ensure that these differences do not damage the unity of society.
Hoaxes are often used by parties who want to divide society or create political tension. In fact, the purpose of the election is to elect leaders who are responsible for running the government and regional development. Therefore, maintaining unity amidst differences is very important.
As the 2024 Pilkada approaches, the spread of hoaxes is predicted to increase. This is where our role as concerned citizens becomes crucial. We cannot just rely on the government or the mass media to fight hoaxes, but must also take an active role in checking the truth of the information we receive and spread.
It is important to always verify before sharing information with others, especially on social media. This can be done by seeking references from trusted sources, whether from credible media or from authorized institutions. If we find suspicious information, the best step is not to share it immediately, but to wait for further confirmation.
The success of the 2024 Pilkada does not only depend on the candidates or election organizers, but also on all of us as a society. By being wiser in receiving and disseminating information, we can help ensure that the Pilkada runs honestly, fairly, and peacefully. Let’s fight hoaxes together and maintain the integrity of our democracy.
*) Contributor to IntiNesia Media Institute
