13 Arrested for Spreading Fake News; Filter before Sharing:Police

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Police Headquarters' spokesman, Insp. Gen. Setyo Wasisto, urges the public to filter the information they share on social media. This is to prevent the spreading of false news or hoaxes to the public.

Furthermore, Setyo said that fake-news producers aren’t the only people punishable by law. The people who spread them can also be charged and prosecuted.

"The law states that anyone who makes and spread fake news is punishable. Even if the perpetrators claim they were doing it as a joke or to share awareness, there is a law against it," Setyo said here on Tuesday, November 6.

The police have captured dozens of people who spread false information about the Lion Air JT 610 crash and about child kidnapping. Setyo reminded the public about this, and to learn from it.

"Use social media wisely. Filter before you share," he said.

Eleven people, ages ranging between 22 and 41, were arrested and are now suspected of spreading fake news about child kidnapping. The police said that these suspect claimed to have done it to increase public awareness. The police also believe that these people habve no political motives behind their action.

"Their aim is purely to instigate fear and restlessness among the public about child kidnapping," Setyo said.

The police have also arrested two people, aged 30 and 33, who are suspected of spreading fabricated information about the Lion Air JT 610 accident.

The suspects are now facing a possible jail term of 12 years at the most, or a fine of up to Rp12 billion.

ANTARA