About Hoaxes That Arise Due To COVID-19 Concerns

JAKARTA - The outbreak of the corona virus or COVID-19 in Indonesia was accompanied by the emergence of hoax content and disinformation. The Ministry of Communication and Informatics (Kominfo) notes that 242 hoax content related to this virus has been carried out in recent times. The hoax content is spread on social media and instant messaging services.

Some of the hoaxes that have emerged include the lockdown of the city in Bali on March 25. In fact, if you are more careful, on that date the Balinese, who are predominantly Hindu, are having the Nyepi worship. So that Bali will be closed.

Or, a therapist at a nightclub in Jakarta who has contracted the corona virus. So that there is a narrative appeal to the public not to come to entertainment venues in the near future.

Sociologist Musni Umar has his own views about the emergence of this fake news that seems to be a 'joke'. According to him, the creator of the story wanted the public not to worry and remain calm about the spread of COVID-19. However, the story appeared at the wrong time and place. Moreover, currently, the public is worried about the spread of COVID-19.

"Maybe there is an intention to calm down. But because people are panicking and overly worried, the message or meaning that the public has captured from the news is wrong," Musni told VOI, Wednesday, March 18.

Public concern over COVID-19, said Musni, was due to the massive news about COVID-19 in Indonesia. Moreover, the number of people under surveillance (ODP) and patients under surveillance (PDP) of the corona virus is increasing every day. Then, information about the corona virus in several other countries is also considered to worsen the psychological condition of the community.

"The main factor is actually the news. Currently, the news about the massive spread of COVID-19. So, people panic and sometimes misinterpret the information they receive," said Musni.

For this reason, it is advisable for law enforcement officials to take action against hoax spreaders. Even if it was just for fun or with good intentions, the impact caused by this kind of information was tremendous.

"Indeed, law enforcement officials should take firm action. Don't let hoaxes worsen the current condition," said Musni.

The Minister of Communication and Information, Johnny G Plate, emphasized that the Ministry of Communication and Information will always confirm the truth of the issues that are being of concern to the public on social media. The aim is to protect the entire nation and society from the negative impact of incorrect information related to COVID-19 and cause excessive concern.

"This is a danger, if people follow this incorrect information," he added.

This is the Ministry of Communication and Information's Steps to Prevent the Spread of the Covid-19 Hoax https://t.co/WOVVvUL4Bg

- Ministry of Communication and Information (@kemkominfo) March 17, 2020

Meanwhile, the Director General of Information Applications of the Ministry of Communication and Information, Semuel Abrijani Pangerapan explained, in dealing with the hoax information of COVID-19 circulating on social media, it needs to be followed up together with the platform owner.

"The duties and functions of the Ministry of Communication and Information in accordance with the prevailing policy cannot close accounts proven to spread hoaxes," he said.

The man who is familiarly called Semmy will also provide recommendations for which accounts are indicated to have spread hoaxes in accordance with public complaints and patrols on social media.

"We provide recommendations to platform owners and law enforcement, then those who close the account," said Sammy.

Semmy added, although hoaxes in Indonesia are not yet in the strong category, if they are allowed to proliferate, they will cause unrest that will result in panic in the community. With regard to hoax content that has caused public unrest, law enforcers, namely the Police, will also follow up on the hoax. If there is an element of a criminal offense that has been violated by the account owner who spreads the false information.

"If it is massive and causes public unrest, the police will follow up," said Semmy.

Previously it was reported, Kominfo had also reported five hoax cases, one of which was related to mysticism to the West Kalimantan Police, two at the East Kalimantan Regional Police and one at the DKI Jakarta Regional Police which were deemed to fulfill the elements of violations according to the Kominfo regulations.