CekFakta.com Coalition Records 56 Hoaxes During Election Day

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The CekFakta.com coalition, managed by three press organizations, namely the Alliance of Independent Journalists (AJI), the Indonesian Cyber Media Association (AMSI), and the Indonesian Anti-Defamation Society (Mafindo) completed the process of monitoring misinformation and disinformation during the election. In total, there were 56 hoaxes and 107 articles published during voting day.

A total of 131 local and national media were involved in patrolling hoaxes on social media and texting applications from 05:00 a.m. to 08:00 p.m. local time. Final verification of the findings was carried out by a team of editors from the three founding organizations: AJI, AMSI, and Mafindo.

Secretary-General of AJI Indonesia, Ika Ningtyas, said fact-checking was important to help the public respond to the election process. "Every voting day is usually followed by hoaxes targeting voters and election organizers. We also need to monitor if there is conflict-inducing disinformations," she said in a written statement, quoted by Tempo on Friday.

The 2024 election, Ika explained, was more challenging due to election fraud allegations. In consequence, fact-checkers couldn’t rely on direct sources from authorities. “We need more in-depth verification on the ground,” she said.  "To help the public report hoaxes they receive, CekFakta.com opened a tipline account on WhatsApp number +62 811-1000-0579.

The Head of Mafindo, Septiaji Eko Nugroho, said the movement also intensively collaborates with civil communities that oversee the election process and election institutions such as the General Elections Commission (KPU) and the Election Supervisory Body (Bawaslu).

The involvement of volunteers was necessary to ensure a quick response from CekFakta.com. 

AMSI Head Wahyu Dhyatmika appreciated all local and national media involved in fact-checking collaboration during the election. "The active participation of hundreds of AMSI media members in fact-checking activities shows their high enthusiasm for digital innovation," he said.

Apart from hoax patrols and fact-checking activities during voting day, the CekFakta.com coalition also routinely carried out live fact-checking in the previous presidential debates. The aim was to ensure that each credibility of running candidates’ statements.

BAGUS PRIBADI.

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