To the Press Council, for our record, press members need to be reminded to prioritize the accuracy of information rather than the speed of publication (in order) to (avoid) the spread of hoaxes
Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Communication and Informatics Ministry urged the Press Council to ensure that journalists prioritized accuracy of news information over and above the publication speed.

"To the Press Council, for our record, press members need to be reminded to prioritize the accuracy of information rather than the speed of publication (in order) to (avoid) the spread of hoaxes," Director of Information Empowerment, Directorate General of Informatics Applications at the Communication and Information Technology Ministry Bonifasius Wahyu Pudjianto stated during a virtual seminar as seen here on Monday.

Pudjianto noted that based on data collected by the directorate, one of the risks naturally related to the cyberspace was the clutter of negative content in the form of hoaxes, cyber bullying, online fraud, cases of intolerance, and also radicalism.

Of all these findings, hoaxes emerged as the most leading issue that negatively impacted the development of the digital world, he remarked.

"During the period from August 2018 to January 2022, all these issues of hoaxes still dominate (the negative content in cyberspace). They amounted to 9,546 (cases),” he remarked.

Pudjianto believes that the accuracy of information provided by the press people played an important role in stemming the spread of hoaxes.

He also made an appeal to the Press Council to evaluate the registration of online media and ensure that press members deliver news that adhered to the journalistic code of ethics.

Pudjianto also stated that the ministry was committed to supporting press freedom in the digital era.

"The ministry supports press freedom in this digital era but still upholds existing regulations and (promotes) digital journalism through supporting regulations," he remarked.

The ministry always collaborates with the press to improve digital literacy. He believed that digital literacy was the main key to getting rid of all negative aspects that hinder progress in the digital world.


Translator: Tri Meilani A, Mecca Yumna
Editor: Fardah Assegaf
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