TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Communication and Informatics spokesman Ismail Cawidu said the ministry was unable to close down seven fake news portals because they use foreign servers. "We can only block them," said Ismail yesterday.
The seven blocked websites are Tempo.co--news.com, Kompas.com--news.com, Antaranews.com--news.com, Detik.com--news.com,Tribunnews.com--news.com, Liputan6.com--news.com, and Inilah.com--news.com. These websites use two servers in the United States.
The ministry has already sent a request to block those sites yesterday. They have been unable to access ever since. Ismail said the blocking could be lifted if they stop writing fabricated news.
The ministry is currently investigating the owners of those websites. They could be criminally charged if some reports them to the police.
Communication Minister Tifatul Sembiring previously promised that he would shut down those false news portals. The website owners could be subjected to six years in prison since these websites are categorized as phishing.
NUR ALFIYAH