In an article published in this daily, Trisno S. Sutanto, a researcher and activist at the Paritas Institute, Jakarta, referred to a statement by Joseph Goebbels (1897-1945), the Minister of Propaganda under Adolf Hitler (Nazi Germany): “If you repeat a lie often enough, people will eventually come to believe it, and you will even come to believe it yourself.” (Kompas, March 27, 2019).
Goebbels’ statement, made more than 70 years ago, seems relevant today, with all the widespread hoaxes in people’s lives. Hoaks (hoax), which the Great Dictionary of the Indonesian Language (KBBI, 2017) defines as “fake news”, are spreading not only in Indonesia, but also in many countries. Fake news has not only deceived the public, but has also destabilized governments and divided the people in several countries. The citizens of the world are angry about hoaxes.
Some people consider hoaxes to be part of the post-truth culture. “Truth” is only measured by how widespread (viral) is the distribution of information. Social media platforms, such as Facebook and Twitter, as well as messaging services, like WhatsApp, and other communication services are also busy fighting hoaxes, creating public education ads. Digital literacy continues to progress, although it is not yet high in Indonesia. Public awareness efforts continue on always checking the information they receive.
Very few people in this country and in other parts of the world are not angry at hoaxes. In fact, those who are aware of hoaxes or refrain from creating and spreading fake news contribute their voices to the war against hoaxes. However, hoaxes continue to spread until now, becoming viruses and rattling the public. It has become worse in this political year.
Public discourse on combating hoax completely and thoroughly has surfaced, as Kompas reported on Thursday (3/28/2019). Removing hoaxes on social media must be followed by promoting digital literacy and law enforcement. There is even discourse on subjecting those who spread hoaxes to sanctions under Law No. 5/2018 on Eradication of Terror Crimes.
Roman philosopher Marcus Tullius Cicero (106 BC-43 BC) pointed out that the more rules, the less justice. Those spreading fake news in Indonesia can be charged under Law No. 11/2008 on Information and Electronic Transactions (ITE), Law No. 1/1946 on Criminal Procedures and the Criminal Code (KUHP). The maximum sentence is 10 years in prison.
So far, the perpetrators of hoaxes have been charged under the ITE Law and other criminal laws. That hoaxes continued to spread does not mean that the sentence is not effective enough. It may be, however, that enforcement is not firm enough. Law enforcement is still partial.
Digital literacy and preventing the spread of hoaxes must continue to be encouraged. Spread hoaxes is a crime. However, treating the perpetrators as terrorists is excessive. Wisdom must be used in wielding the sword called law.