UNAIR NEWS To prevent the distribution of false news or hoaxes, the society needs to improve its social media literacy. It was stated by the expert of mass communication, Drs. Suko Widodo, M.Si. Interviewed in his office room, Suko said that media literacy can be improved by always checking and rechecking the truth of the piece of information before sharing it to other netizens.
淧eople should always mind the ethics, they must filter before they share something. Don檛 merely share. Know what you try to inform but don檛 inform all that you know, said Suko.
False information or hate speech distribution is the impact of rapid growth of information for the last few years. Information development causes the appearance of new public space called social media. This public space is different than the real public space as people do not necessary to interact face to face but they are still able to express their mind and feelings.
This new public space brings positive and negative impacts. The positive impact, social media can be used to build connections and shared ideas. The negative ones, there is uncontrolled false information or hate speech which is potential to disrupt order in the society.
False information or hate speech distribution is caused by three factors. First, technology advancement gives opportunity for other netizens to add or edit text published by the netizen before.
Second, the great number of internet users. As stated by Indonesian Internet Network Provider Association (APJII), in 2016 there were 132.7 million of Indonesian population connected to the internet. Third, high interactions between users.
淚n mainstream mass media, feedback can檛 be done. There檚 no room for conflicts. The new public space or social media enables intense interaction, said Suko.
Some time ago, there was a group of people declaring anti hoax movement and supported by the administration and legislative institution. Suko believed that in short term, there is no problem with this kind of movement but most importantly, he emphasized that society should improve their media literacy.
He added that we should not let Law Number 11 of 2008 on Information and Electronic Transactions be used as the hampering reason for people to have freedom of speech.
Author: Defrina Sukma S
Editor: Nuri Hermawan
