Several parties have urged the public not to be provoked by hoaxes calling for demonstrations in Jakarta on social media
Jakarta, Following the recent unrest in several Indonesian cities, digital public spaces (social media) have been flooded with various information calling for demonstrations in Jakarta. This information has the potential to be hoaxes and disinformation.
The Head of Public Information for the National Police’s Public Relations Division, Brigadier General Trunoyudo Wisnu Andiko, reminded the public not to be easily provoked by calls for demonstrations in Jakarta, which could potentially cause unrest, via social media platforms such as WhatsApp. He added that the rumors circulating on social media are false (a hoax).
“The public should respond to all information with clarity. The primary channels of reference are mass media, reporters, and journalists who deliver factual information,” he said.
Trunoyudo also emphasized that the public must always filter information before believing or sharing it. The media plays a strategic role in clarifying issues that arise in society.
“All information needs to be carefully filtered and its sources verified. Let’s make the mass media the primary channel for conveying accurate and credible information,” Trunoyudo emphasized.
Similarly, Mafindo Presidium Chairman Septiaji Eko Nugroho urged the public to be wary of the massive circulation of hoaxes in digital spaces (social media). Hoaxes circulating on social media and messaging apps about calls for demonstrations in Jakarta and repression by authorities could worsen the situation and trigger an escalation of violence.
“As a result, uncertainty, anger, incitement to hatred, and acts of violence have emerged. Citizens should be wary of the massive circulation of hoaxes in digital public spaces,” said Septiaji.
Meanwhile, Dr. Radius Setiyawan, an expert in cultural and media studies at the Muhammadiyah University (UM) Surabaya, urged the public to increase their vigilance against hoaxes and disinformation that have been circulating widely since the recent riots.
“The digital public space is now flooded with diverse information. In such a chaotic environment, the public needs to be cautious and not rush to believe every piece of news,” said Radius in Surabaya.
According to him, the potential for hoaxes and disinformation is very likely to emerge, which could actually worsen the situation if the public isn’t careful in responding to news on social media. On the other hand, the public is increasingly able to distinguish between valid and misleading information.
“Many netizens were able to quickly distinguish between peaceful demonstrations and riots that ended in looting, and they supported this with various data and analyses,” he concluded.
