In The Information Disclosure Era, Press Must Act As An Educator

JAKARTA – The flow of information in today's digital era which is increasingly swift indeed makes it easy. But on the other hand, this is actually worrying because not all of the information circulating is the fact. Many are not true.

In fact, the Ministry of Communication and Informatics (Kemenkominfo) sorts out more than one hoax information circulating on social media every day.

Such as information about Indonesian armed forces attacking Australia. The Ministry of Communication and Information on 4 February 2023 found a video uploaded on the YouTube channel with a narration of Indonesian armed forces carrying out an attack on Australia.

The uploader of the content shows several videos, including bomb explosions, tank combat equipment, the rubble of damaged buildings, and residents being evacuated. The video's narrator says Australian authorities claim Indonesian troops carried out more than 6,000 attacks within one hour on the city of Sydney, Australia.

Based on the results of a search by cekfakta.tempo.co, the video containing the claim that Indonesian armed forces carried out an attack on Australia is false. The uploaded video has nothing to do with claims that Indonesian armed forces carried out six thousand attacks on Australia.

“The content of the video is in the form of video clips of the war between Ukraine and Russia which caused buildings to be destroyed after being hit by Russian rockets and claimed lives. The video also shows joint exercises between Russia and Belarus," wrote the Ministry of Communication and Information on its website.

On February 4, 2023, a video was also circulated of President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) giving a speech on the stage with the words 'Different Unite' as a background. The upload was accompanied by a narration of President Jokowi's declaration of 3 periods.

In fact, it is a video declaration ahead of the 2019 General Election (Pemilu). The clip of the video is identical to the upload on the Tempo media entitled 'Jokowi ke Alumni Pangudi Luhur: Kok Dukung Saya?', which was uploaded in February 2019 ago.

President Jokowi acknowledged that the presence of digital media, including social media and foreign platforms, has provided more space for the public to make news. But the problem is, generally it lacks editorial. Reporting is controlled by Artificial Intelligence (AI).

The digital giant's algorithms tend to focus on the commercial side and push more sensational content. Regardless of the quality of the content and authentic journalism. Thus, not all contents of the information presented can be accounted for the truth.

"Things like this should not dominate the lives of our people," Jokowi said in his speech during the commemoration of National Press Day in Deli Serdang, North Sumatra on February 9, 2023.

Meanwhile, the conventional media whose editorials are increasingly pressured in the news map. It is reported that as much as 60 percent of advertising spending has also been taken up by digital media, especially foreign platforms. This is a tough challenge in the sustainability of the conventional media industry.

So, said Jokowi, there must be rules to support quality journalism. The Minister of Communication and Information has just submitted an initiative permit regarding the draft presidential regulation on cooperation between digital platform companies and press companies.

"But there is another suggestion, the Presidential Decree draft on the responsibilities of digital platform companies. My suggestion is to meet later in one month regarding the Presidential Decree, not more than one month. I will participate later in several discussions regarding this,“ he added.

It is undeniable, the main role of the media is now increasingly important to amplify the truth and reveal facts, especially in the midst of the ferocity of post-truth, post-fact, and post-reality.

“It is urgently needed to become a house for purifying information. Presenting verified information and carrying out the role as a communication of hope that gives hope to all of us," Jokowi added.

Educational Press

Deputy Chairman of the Indonesian People's Consultative Assembly, Lestari Moerdijat, hopes that the press will be able to function as a unifying agent, educate, and awaken national values so that every child of the nation can practice them.

This is because, Lestasi assesses that various potential impacts of global change must be answered by implementing national values contained in the four national consensuses inherited from the founding fathers of this country, namely Pancasila, the 1945 Constitution, the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia (NKRI) and Bhinneka Tunggal Ika.

During the independence period, through its journalistic works, the press played an active role in cultivating the spirit of nationalism for every child of the nation to escape colonialism.

At this time, said Rerie, the nickname for Lestari Moerdijat, the press should also be able to play a role in motivating every citizen to unite to create a nation that is competitive and dignified.

"Caring for an independent, united, sovereign, just and prosperous Indonesia is one of the constitutional mandates for every member of the nation, including members of the press, which must be realized," Rerie said in a written statement to VOI on 9 February 2023.

In line with the Minister of State-Owned Enterprises (BUMN) Erick Thohir. He also hopes that in the future the Indonesian press can provide news that is in accordance with the facts. The right information will create good values.

The function of the media is of course to educate, enlighten and encourage people to do good. This is what society needs at a time when technology is becoming more and more attached to life.

“The press has become a part of my life. Let's build a responsible press. This is an important provision in strengthening the relevance of the press to continue playing a role in the midst of very rapid changes," said Erick in his official statement to VOI on February 9, 2023.