"What we do is preventive (action)," Communication and Informatics Minister Johnny G. Plate explained here on Monday.
The ministry has prepared at least two strategies to maintain order in the digital space ahead of the elections. The first involves continuing digital literacy activities for the people.
Digital literacy is considered an efficient measure for providing knowledge to the people about the digital space, so that social media is not flooded with hoaxes, hate speech, and conflict.
Such content can potentially cause disturbance among supporters of candidates in the fray in the General Elections.
"We cannot let that happen. Let us use the digital space for beneficial matters," Plate remarked.
Since 2017, the ministry has been implementing the National Digital Literacy Movement, which has covered around 12.5 million people until this year.
Through the knowledge obtained through digital literacy, people are expected to create and upload positive content on social media.
"That is far more beneficial compared to using it for hoax, misinformation, disinformation, and even pushing post-truth," the minister said.
The ministry’s second strategy to maintain the security and comfort of the digital space ahead of the General Elections concerns machine monitoring negative content on social media.
"Whether it is hoax, narcotics, pornography, and gambling, we will continue to clean up," the minister affirmed.
The monitoring is conducted by the ministry regularly, not just when the General Elections loom, according to Plate.
By handling hoaxes and negative content in the digital space, the ministry acts as a regulator. Legal action in relation to negative content remains in the authority of the police and prosecutors.
The ministry has voiced its support for General Elections organizers as well as related ministries and institutions so that the elections can proceed well.
Indonesia is scheduled to hold the General Elections in 2024.
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Translator: Natisha A, Fadhli Ruhman
Editor: Azis Kurmala
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