Pak Jokowi, The New Zealand Press 'Flooded' Rp. 600 Billion To Help Prevent Hoaxes, What About Indonesia?

Journalism Illustration (Photo: Special)

JAKARTA - Chairman of the Editor-in-Chief Forum (Pemred) Kemal E. Gani said that Indonesia can take lessons from the New Zealand government in overcoming hoaxes that are now massive in line with advances in digital technology.

He explained that one of the keys to New Zealand's success in conveying correct information to the public is to embrace credible national media to jointly disseminate accurate information.

In order to make this a success, New Zealand then budgeted a fund of not less than 500 million US dollars or equivalent to Rp600 billion to the local national media to assist the government in distributing information in accordance with journalistic principles.

"Communication between the government and its people is very smooth. Information is not distorted, apart from the fact that the people do not depend on unverified social media, 70 percent of the people there consume information from credible media, ”he said, in a virtual seminar commemorating National Press Day, Monday, February 8.

Furthermore, Kemal explained that currently there are 800 thousands of hoax spreading sites in Indonesia that often spread fake news.

“This is extraordinary. Not only general information such as the pandemic being hoaxed, but even President Jokowi and President Donald Trump are also fake news, "he said.

For this reason, the boss of the SWA Group emphasized that national media in the country are strongly committed to presenting credible and trusted information and content.

"So we will continue to apply the principles of facts, accurate and balanced information, the principles of verification, and accuracy to the public," he added.

He also stated that the national press is ready to assist the government in drafting certain rules and regulations to suppress fake news and help disseminate reliable information.

"This is a challenge for us to be able to make good and fair rules to achieve this," concluded Kemal.