TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Ministry of Communication and Information Technology identified a total of 242 hoaxes and disinformation contents related to coronavirus (Covid-19) spread on social media as well as websites and instant messaging platforms, as of Tuesday, March 17, 2020.

Minister of Communication and Information Technology, Johnny G. Plate, stated that his ministry will continue to identify and combat hoaxes spreading throughout the country. “From these results, (we will) follow up by providing the correct information in accordance with facts," he said in a written statement, on Tuesday, March 17.

The ministry will also continue its efforts to confirm the facts in any issues that have become a public concern in social media.

"The goal is to protect the entire nation from the negative effects of information associated with Covid-19 that is not true. It will be dangerous if the public follows such information,” he added.

The Ministry’s Director General of Informatics Applications, Semuel Abrijani Pangerapan, stated that the identification and combating of hoaxes have been done in cooperation with the platform owners.

“In accordance with the applicable policy, the duties and functions of the Communication Ministry cannot conduct deactivation of accounts proven to spread hoaxes," he said.

Semuel claimed that the ministry would provide recommendations to platform owners and law enforcement authorities, on which accounts were indicated to have spread hoaxes based on public complaints and patrols on social media.

Next, the hoaxes that did cause public unrest will be followed up by law enforcement authorities, especially if an element of criminal offense done by the account owner is identified.

"If it is massive and causes public unrest it will be followed up by the Police," Semuel said.

CAESAR AKBAR | DIO SUHENDA