Media And Peace Forum Launched, Beware Of West Propaganda

Chairman of the Indonesian Cyber Media Network (JMSI), Teguh Santosa when launching the Media and Peace Forum at the Press Council Hall, Jakarta, Monday, April 21. (IST)

JAKARTA In the midst of the era of disruption and floods of information, the public's way of understanding global conflicts is greatly influenced by the media. This was conveyed by the General Chair of the Indonesian Cyber Media Network (JMSI), Teguh Santosa when launching the Media and Peace Forum at the Press Council Hall, Jakarta, Monday, April 21.

This forum is present as a discussion room and clarity of information related to conflicts, not only politics, but also social, environmental, and communal, both domestic and foreign.

"In the post-truth era, the truth is often defeated by beliefs. The media should not thicken the bias, but become a means of clarification," Teguh said in a statement received on Tuesday, April 22.

The event was attended by the Ad Interim Indonesia Business Authority for North Korea Riza H. Wardhana, North Korea's KUAI for Indonesia So Kwang Yun, Deputy Chairman of the Supreme Press Council Dharmajaya, Director of the Juche Indonesia Study Group (GSJI) Teuku Rezasyah, and producer of SEA Today M. Alvin Dwiana Qobulsyah.

This discussion highlights how the news about North Korea in Indonesia is still dominated by Western media narratives. According to Teguh, deviant and unverified information often creates a wrong stigma.

"I've been visiting North Korea more than ten times since 2003. A lot of information has been spread doesn't match reality," he said.

SEA Today producer, Alvin Dwiana added, the lack of Indonesian journalists in North Korea is the main obstacle in getting a direct perspective. "People must be more critical, don't get carried away by Western propaganda easily," he said.

Meanwhile, Teuku Rezasyah assessed that North Korea actually showed determination in maintaining its sovereignty and the environment. He explained that North Korea's Juche system encourages national independence.

"North Korea is often misunderstood. In fact, many of their policies are actually progressive from a social and environmental perspective," said Teuku.

Through the Media and Peace Forum, JMSI hopes to be a balancer of information and encourage peace based on a complete, fair, and free-free understanding.