"As the media regulator, I expect KPI to play its active role in monitoring television and radio broadcasts to ensure the election in 2024 will take place in a direct, general, free, confidential, honest, and fair fashion, and which organizers are free from interventions," Mahfud said.
At the induction ceremony of KPI commissioners and national television TVRI’s supervisory board members here Friday, the acting minister said KPI must also ensure that television and radio stations disseminate information about elections to increase voter turnout.
The government and the public must contribute to protecting the digital sphere in Indonesia from hoaxes, he emphasized.
"I hope that we can anticipate it properly, hence, there will be no division or polarization among the people during and after the election," Mahfud said.
The acting minister urged KPI to continue reminding and educating residents about elections and hoax prevention and also push television and radio stations not to transmit hoaxes circulating on social media.
Television and radio should try and clarify hoaxes and provide correct information instead of augmenting their spread through their broadcasts, he stressed.
Professional KPI commissioners must ensure that broadcasting agencies adhere to broadcasting guidelines and do not bow to pressure or permit any violations, Mahfud said.
"That will be your duties, and today will be my momentum to remind (you) about the functions that some parts of the society perceive are now weakened," he told KPI commissioners.
He also asked broadcasters to filter out information that could hinder the conduct of the election or cause it to fail.
"The government is consistent in protecting the rights to elect and be elected by preserving the freedom to convey political rights to anyone," Mahfud remarked.
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Translator: Rizka Khaerunnisa, Nabil Ihsan
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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