Nasbi assessed that the rapid advancement of technology and information has led to new threats to national unity, including cybercrime, disinformation, and propaganda.
Therefore, he stressed that students must possess national defense awareness in the digital age.
"Cyberspace is dominated by a clickbait regime and filled with disinformation, slander, and hatred," he said in a statement received here.
During the "National Defense Awareness" session, at the student orientation program at Podomoro University, Nasbi stressed the importance for the younger generation, especially students, to act wisely in the current era of digitalization, so as not to fall into traps that could lead to national disintegration.
He said smartphones have become the primary source of information.
"Every piece of information is taken as truth without check and recheck. No one cares about the source, whether the account sharing (the information) is verified. Objectivity is ignored, and virality becomes the standard of truth," he said.
He admitted that countering disinformation, slander, and hate speech online often puts the government in a difficult position.
"Fighting disinformation, slander, and hatred online is like chasing away birds that eat the crops. If ignored, the government's hard work is wasted. However, if fought aggressively, we are accused of silencing democracy," he added.
Therefore, he encouraged students to be smart in analyzing information on social media.
"This is where public participation is needed to verify information by searching from many sources. If something seems not right, look for it elsewhere. Pay attention to the credibility of the source," he urged.
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Translator: Fianda, Kenzu
Editor: Azis Kurmala
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