The press has been consistent in disseminating up-to-date and measured information, as well as raising public enthusiasm and optimism in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, spokesperson for the COVID-19 Handling Task Force, Wiku Adisasmito, said during a press conference that was accessed online from here on Thursday.
"Not a few of our friends from the media were also infected (by COVID-19) and even died while on duty. Thank you for your service," he said referring to the commemoration of the National Press Day.
The press in Indonesia celebrates National Press Day every February 9. The eve of the day's commemoration was held in Kendari, Southeast Sulawesi, on Tuesday.
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The spread of hoaxes, misinformation, and disinformation still presents a challenge for the media in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, which has been going on for around two years, Adisasmito noted.
"The media can contribute more by taking quick action to deal with false news that has already spread among the community," the spokesperson said.
He also asked the public to support healthy information circulation by not easily spreading information if they are unsure of its content or source.
"Let us strengthen collaboration in delivering information according to scientific and journalistic principles and ethics for the sake of equitable information dissemination to all parts of society," he remarked.
The first case of COVID-19 was confirmed in Indonesia in March 2020. According to the task force data, as of February 10, 2022, Indonesia has recorded a total of 4,667,554 COVID-19 cases, 4,234,510 recoveries, and 144,858 deaths.
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Translator: Zubi Mahrofi, Raka Adji
Editor: Suharto
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