Central PWI Anti Hoax Task Force Sends Representatives To Ukraine, Strengthens War Narrative Diplomacy And Research

Algooth Putranto, a journalist for Suara Merdeka who is also the Coordinator of the Research of the Central PWI Anti Hoax Task Force. (IST)

JAKARTA The Central Anti-Hoax Task Force (Satgas) of the Indonesian Journalists Association (PWI) sent representatives to Ukraine to explore the pattern of spreading hoaxes in the Ukraine-Russia conflict, as well as strengthening the diplomacy of civil society.

Algooth Putranto, a journalist for Suara Merdeka who is also the Research Coordinator of the Central PWI Anti Hoax Task Force, became an official delegation in the Conversation of the Free: Ukraine and Indonesia forum. This event was held with the support of the Renaissance Foundation and was attended by a number of figures from both countries.

"Algooth was chosen because of its central role in anti-hoax research and its active involvement in the Central PWI led by Hendry Ch Bangun. Our focus is to strengthen public literacy on hoaxes, including in conflict areas such as Ukraine," said Head of the Central PWI Anti Hoax Task Force, Budi Nugraha in Jakarta, Friday (23/5).

Not only participating in the forum, Algooth, who is also a lecturer in Communication Science at Dian Nusantara University (Undira), is scheduled to give public lectures in various institutions in Ukraine. Algooth's presence is also part of the collaboration between the Indonesian Embassy (KBRI) Kyiv and a number of Ukrainian educational institutions.

This year, Indonesia and Ukraine marked 33 years of diplomatic relations. On April 7, 2025, the Ukrainian Government inaugurated the Indonesian Cultural Studies Center at Nizhyn Mykola Gogol State University. Followed by the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between the Indonesian Embassy in Kyiv and the National Academy of Cultural and Art Management of Ukraine (NAKKIM) on April 25, 2025.

Ukraine has many similarities with Indonesia in terms of culture, tradition, and religious values. Through cultural communication, I hope to open a new perspective for Ukrainian academics about Indonesia," said Algooth.

He added that his visit to Kyiv was also a form of appreciation for history. We have a moral debt to Ukraine. Without their voice at the United Nations, Indonesia's independence could be a dream. Even though we used to be separated by ideological wars, I believe we can build peace together," he concluded.