TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - President Joko Widodo or Jokowi said that he was asked about the nature of Indonesia’s social media by several world leaders such as King Salman of Saudi Arabia and Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong.
President Jokowi answered the questions by describing that Indonesia’s social media realm could start a war between right and wrong.
“I was asked about the nature of Indonesia’s social media. Is it cruel? Oh, it’s vicious,” said President Jokowi during a lecture at Padjajaran University in Bandung today.
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According to President Jokowi, a large number of social media users have developed a bad habit of spreading hoaxes, hate, and slanders, which are difficult and nearly impossible to control.
Despite being a difficult task, President Jokowi reminded that social media negativity must be stopped from growing even larger, considering that it has a major effect in transforming the country’s political landscape.
President Jokowi recalled his meeting with UK Prime Minister David Cameron regarding the Brexit. Even though the Brexit referendum won, “the criticism throughout social media changed it all.” President Jokowi added that social media has the power to influence the public.
Another example mentioned by Jokowi was the massive social media base Donald Trump built during the US Presidential campaign, which successfully mobilized the majority of US voters despite the huge popularity Hillary Clinton had.
ISTMAN MP