Declining Number of Hoax in Wake of Second Election Dispute Trial
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18 June 2019 07:14 WIB
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Communications and Informatics (Kominfo) Minister Rudiantara recalled that the hoax which spread prior to the Constitutional Court’s presidential election dispute trial today is old and overused false information that initially spread in the midst of the general elections.
“Based on its substance, there hasn’t been any latest provocative hoax. There are only those recycled ones spread across Whatsapp,” said Rudiantara at the Hotel Grand Hyatt in Central Jakarta on Monday.
Other than not seeing new types of hoax narratives, the Kominfo also recorded that its quantity has significantly dropped since the end of May 2019 up to this day on Tuesday, June 18.
Read: Cyber Police Probe Whatsapp Groups in War on Hoaxes
The ministry’s statistics only recorded false information spread up to 100 URLs per day.
As a comparison, from the May 22 riots that broke out in Jakarta up to May 24 saw the distribution of hoax and provocative information reach 600 to 700 URLs, which were all taken down by the government.
Despite the dropping number of hoax distribution, Minister Rudiantara reminded the public to constantly be aware of future hoax narratives intended to spark conflict. He also assured that the Kominfo will not block the access to social media during the second presidential dispute court trial.
FRANCISCA CHRISTY ROSANA
