KPU Expected to Work Together with Media in 2018 Election
14 October 2017 19:52 WIB
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Home Affairs Minister Tjahjo Kumolo said that in 2018 regional election, the General Election Commission (KPU) in regional areas can coordinate with mass media. The goal is to suppress fake news or hoax and issues of ethnic, religious, racial, and societal (SARA).
"So that irresponsible people will not take advantage of hoax," Tjahjo said in Jakarta on Saturday, Oct. 14.
Countering fake news with mass media is part of Home Ministry’s effort to map out areas that actively use social media. "This is government’s effort to map out conflict potentials and to optimize identification of before and after election."
This social media mapping, Tjahjo said, will involve experts of information technology to block media spreading lies. In addition, the minister asked local government to allocate proportional fund to disseminate the election of regional heads.
This mapping of potential conflict in 2018 election is not only carried out by Home Minister. President Joko Widodo also asked police to map out conflict potentials in the event of the regional election. He called this mapping as a form of readiness to maintain political stability.
ARKHELAUS WISNU TRIYOGO