TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Communication and Informatics Minister Rudiantara said there is an increase in numbers of hoax or false news circulating on social media.

“In January, we find 175 hoaxes, and it increases to 353 news in February alone,” said Rudiantara in Balai Kartini, South Jakarta, on Thursday, March 28.

The minister mentioned as many as 23 percents of 353 hoaxes was related to political issues which he deemed due to this political year nearing the general elections. Others issues include governance and health.

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“Many political hoaxes brought up perhaps because we are heading to democracy event. Democracy must be fun actually, and also elections,” Rudiantara said, adding that training or workshop on information literacy is needed to eradicate hoax news.

The ministry, Rudiantara continued, collaborated with National Police in mapping and shutting down accounts spreading hoax information on social media. The ministry also deployed cyber patrol of AIS Team to verify and clarify accounts allegedly violating the Electronic Information and Transactions (ITE) Law.

Rudiantara further expressed his gratitude to media workers helping in tackling hoax news. “I thank all media for always providing a special time to talk about how to use social media and messaging app in a proper way,” he concluded.

ANDITA RAHMA