Sayeed Muhammad: Indonesian authorities unveiled plans to hold weekly briefings on fake news, aiming to educate the public about the spread of disinformation in the country, the world’s third-largest democracy.
Communications Minister said the move was aimed at helping the Indonesian people “sort through the news” in the lead up to what is widely expected to be a heated presidential election to be held in April, reports .
The initiative would be launched very soon, Rudiantara said, adding, fake news stories – known locally as “hoax” news or “black campaigns” – would be accompanied by factual explanations.
“Every week we will announce hoax news,” Rudiantara continued. “The ministry will not just stamp a story as hoax, but we will also provide facts.”
Urging the countrymen to stop spreading fake news on their social media accounts, the minister said the exercise was part of the ministry’s push for ‘digital literacy’ in the political arena.
In Indonesia, which has one of the highest rates of Facebook and Twitter usage, fake news is regularly spread on social networks to fan existing social, ethnic and religious divisions for political gain.
Experts have expressed concern about the role fake news, saying it could impact the upcoming election, as well as the spread of hate speech.
Rudiantara said the weekly briefings were designed to encourage Indonesians to think more critically about the news they consume.
A specialised ministerial content control team, comprised of 70 people, will be tasked with identifying fake news stories.