Kick Off PWI Antihoax Task Force: Joint Steps To Maintain The Sustainability Of The 2024 Election

Minister of Communication and Information Budi Arie Setiadi, attended the kick off of the PWI Anti Hoax Stagas. (photo; ary/voi.id)

JAKARTA - The Indonesian Journalists Association (PWI), on Tuesday, January 9, 2024, kicked-off the Antihoax Task Force at the PWI office, the IV Floor Press Council Building, Jalan Kebon Sirih, Central Jakarta. This event was attended by the Minister of Communication and Information (Menkominfo) Budi Arie Setiadi, Karopenmas Brigadier General Pol Trunojoyo Wisnu Andika, Dikan Faculty of Communication Sciences at Mercu Buana University, Prof. Dr. Ahmadd Mulyana, and Chairman of the Press Council Ninik Rahayu.

In his report, the Head of the PWI Anti Hoax Task Force, Iqbal Irsyad, said that before kick-off, the task force had actively carried out literacy activities on hoaxes and collaborated with Mercu Buana University to create anti-hoax education. In addition, they have also produced podcasts about anti-hoaxes. Iqbal emphasized the task force's commitment to continue to carry out socialization and prevention of hoax spread.

In his remarks, the Chairman of the Central PWI, Hendry Ch. Bangun, stated that PWI will actively participate and provide solutions to community problems. Hendry emphasized that the Antihoax Task Force will focus on visual content and plan to conduct patrols and anti-hoax literacy in each province. He hopes that the presence of the Minister of Communication and Information at this kick-off will ensure the smooth running of the task force.

"We are also working with Mercu Buana University to carry out cyber and digital tourism to deal with hoaxes," said Hendry.

Minister of Communication and Information Budi Arie Setiadi said that cybersecurity during the election period was a major threat, before, during, and after the election. "The Ministry of Communication and Informatics continues to strive to deal with hoax content through counter narratives and take down hoax issues," said Budi Arie. He also gave high appreciation to PWI who formed the antihoax task force and invited them to work together against hoaxes.

Budi Arie highlighted that hoax content, slander, and hate speech have a serious impact on society. "Hoaxes, slander, and hate speech are siblings who must be fought, in addition to degrading the dignity of others who become cousins," said Budi. He hopes that the PWI Antihoax Task Force can cooperate with the Ministry of Communication and Informatics to make elections more conducive.

In closing, Minister Budi Arie invited all parties to work together against hoaxes in collaboration for the sake of peace and unity in the era of digital transformation. "Digital era is an era of transformation, many opportunities towards progress, let's fight hoaxes in collaboration for the sake of peace and unity," he concluded.