TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The public must be saved from exposure and influences of hoaxes, whose destructive forces are getting bigger when combined with hate speech.
The integrity and unity of this nation is being tested with the widespread of misleading information.
Through quality journalistic works, the press can fight against hoaxes.
Mass media must be able to provide information for all misinformation and to straighten out the problems.
All should be based on facts, not opinions, or worse estimation.
The press is tasked to give enlighten and comprehensive understanding about whatever happens in the society, instead of spreading hoaxes, especially in social media and instant messaging groups.
This year, Indonesia hosts the World Press Freedom Day that fall on May 3. The theme is interesting and contextual with Indonesia, which is “Media’s Role in Creating a Peaceful, Just and Inclusive Society.”
This message reflects the call to fight against hoaxes and the importance for the press to act as a compass so the public will not lose direction.
Indonesia is not the only country hit by hoaxes, coupled with hate speech, because it is also produced and propagated without barriers through social media.
Meaningless information that is leading also happens to other countries and business institutions.
The flow of hoaxes is getting more intense in the moment of political contests. The supporters of every contestant is busy producing and spreading information for the interest of winning the election.
The attacks using hoaxes with the racial content and hate speech are rampant since the Presidential Election in 2014 until recently, during the Jakarta Governor election.
Credible media will not spread hoaxes only to attract readers by pursuing trending topic that is much talked about in social media.
There is nothing wrong with social media as long as it is used wisely in choosing and much amount of information. Of course, the press, which has strict and clear code of ethics and values, are different with social media.
"The Press of Struggle " has now changed into industries.
However, there is something unchanged, that is the press responsibility to make the people smart.
The press “sells” credibility to make a better change for the people.
High flying hours have made Indonesian press more mature and are not easily drawn to spread hoaxes.
The time has come for the press to fight against the spreading of hoaxes by presenting factual news that are credible and make the people smart.
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