Social Media Limited to Prevent Hoaxes

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The government has temporarily limited some social media features to limit the spread of hoaxes. People are encouraged to make the mainstream media their main reference for information.

JAKARTA, KOMPAS — The public is encouraged to make the mainstream mass media their main reference to obtain verified information in the middle of disinformation circulation or false information with regard to demonstrations related to the results of the 2019 elections. To prevent the circulation of false information that could damage unity, the government has temporarily limited a number of social media features since Wednesday (22/5/2019).

The policy was taken by the government in response to demonstrations related to the results of the 2019 elections around the Elections Supervisory Agency (Bawaslu) in Jakarta, which ended in clashes and destruction at a number of locations on Wednesday morning. It is hoped that this can prevent the spread of hoax content on social media that threatens the integrity of the nation.

Coordinating Political, Legal and Security Affairs Minister Wiranto announced the policy at a press conference in Jakarta on Wednesday. At that time, Wiranto was accompanied by National Police Chief Gen. (Pol.) Tito Karnavian, Indonesian Military (TNI) commander Chief Marshal Hadi Tjahjanto, Presidential Chief of Staff Moeldoko, State Intelligence Agency head Budi Gunawan, Attorney General HM Prasetyo, Law and Human Rights Minister Yasonna Laoly, Home Minister Tjahjo Kumolo and Communication and Information Minister Rudiantara.

Also present at the press conference were Army Chief of Staff Gen. Andika Perkasa, Navy Chief of Staff Adm. Siwi Sukma Adji, and Air Force Chief of Staff Marshal Yuyu Sutisna.

Wiranto emphasized that the limitation on access to social media features will be valid for the next 2-3 days. He stated that this policy was taken within the framework of national security interests.

He also said the community also plays an important role in maintaining national security in the current situation. "If the community is able to think rationally when receiving information, this will help secure this country. Don\'t easily believe hoaxes and negative provocation," he said.

The limitation is in the form of slowdown when downloading and uploading videos, photos and memes on a number of social media, including Instagram and Facebook and messaging applications such as Whatsapp. Rudiantara also stressed that the limitation of the social media features was not permanent.

"The negative things are there [social media]. Therefore, we really appreciate the mainstream media," he said.

According to Rudiantara, the existing mode is the uploading of photos, videos and hoax images on social media. Then, the social media content is photographed, and the photo is disseminated through conversation groups, such as Whatsapp or Telegram, so it is not viral on social media, but in conversation applications that are not monitored.

Rudiantara disclosed that photos, videos and pictures could quickly spark an audience\'s emotion, even though the information is not necessarily correct. Therefore, he appealed to the public to continue to refer to the coverage of the mainstream mass media to obtain accurate and credible information.

Can communicate

Despite the limitation, Rudiantara said, the public could still communicate via text and voice messages. The restriction is still based on the Electronic Information and Transactions Law (ITE Law). Rudiantara highlighted two things in the ITE Law that served as the basis, namely content management and ITE, which aims to improve digital literacy.

On the same occasion, Moeldoko gave an example of a number of pictures, videos, and photos in circulation that had nothing to do with the situation throughout May 21 to May 22, 2019. According to him, the dissemination of the baseless information was aimed at triggering emotions that could cause hatred.

A University of Indonesia Communication Science lecturer, Irwansyah, when contacted, reminded, even though a certain channel related to an action or activity is closed, there will be another communication channel that will be used. The question, said Irwansyah, is whether the government has steps to also limit the other channels. (JUD/ INK)

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