Fake News becomes a Serious Threat: Press Council Member

Jakarta, InfoPublik –Member of Indonesian Press Council Imam Wahyudi said that fake news or hoax has become a serious threat to Indonesia.

“Fake news has been growing  rapidlyand become a serious threat to society," Imam said in a panel discussion on How fake news  and social media  bubbles are Impacting on the role of journalism in society at Jakarta Convention Center (JCC) on Thursday (4/5).

According to Imam, so far false news circulating in the society is mostly correlated with   regional head elections in 2015 and 2017.

"Since the regional elections will be held in 171 regions  in 2018 and legislative and presidential elections in 2019, fake news will likely continue to emerge," he explained.

Imam said that many fake news  allude to SARA (tribal affiliation, religion, race and societal group).

"Fake news will certainly  threaten the press which has become the fourth pillar of democracy," he said.

He admitted that some media actually participated in the making of fake news.

"Currently, public is starting to look for correct and reliable information through mainstream media," he said.

The discussion is a part of World Press Freedom Day (WPFD) 2017 held  at Jakarta Convention Center (JCC) on May 1-4, 2017. Attending the discussion were domestic and foerign journalists and media practitioners. (Reporter Eko Budiono/Translator:Sugiarti)