Deputy Minister of Communication and Informatics Nezar Patria said that education on positive politics is needed by Generation Z who will be first-time voters at the upcoming elections so that they have the right understanding amid the glut of information on social media and digital platforms.
"In the 2024 General Elections, more than 70 percent of voters are young voters. These are what most important, how we communicate, how we disseminate information on the meaning of peaceful general elections," he said in an official statement received on Thursday.
Education on politics from the government's side to provide a neutral perspective to first-time voters has been deemed essential because, currently, Generation Z can get many views on political issues through social media.
He said his ministry's role is needed to prevent first-time voters from taking the wrong steps and falling for misleading information as well as to provide them with the right education on politics.
Under the peaceful general elections narrative being built by the government for the 2024 General Elections, the Ministry of Communication and Information wants to ensure that first-time voters do not fall for political narratives that have divisive content or contain hate speech.
This has been considered necessary for the peaceful general elections narrative to be promoted and understood by Generation Z, based on the experience of the previous general elections in 2019.
"Identity politics could make Indonesia almost become a divided nation. I think that experience becomes provision for us in facing the 2024 General Elections," he said.
By way of education, the upcoming elections are expected to create a new culture in Indonesia's politics, with first-time voters being prepared to actively participate without being affected by information that can divide the nation.
"A healthy culture that we create from Indonesia's politics in 2024 will determine our steps and future in 2045. I think it is everyone's responsibility," the deputy minister added.
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Translator: Livia Kristianti, Raka Adji
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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