Director of Indonesia Political Review (IPR) Iwan Setiawan has urged\nthe public not to be easily provoked by hoax content about \u2018August\ndemonstrations\u2019 that has been spreading on social media recently.<\/p>\n
\u2018The public needs to improve digital literacy. Before sharing any\ninformation, it is important to check the source, context and accuracy,\u2019\nIwan said in a statement in Jakarta on Wednesday.<\/p>\n
Recently, many social media accounts have been re-circulating old\nstudent demonstration videos accompanied by provocative narratives, such\nas \u2018Why isn\u2019t a demonstration this large covered by the media?\u2019, \u2018A demo\nthis chaotic, yet local media remain silent\u2019, or \u2018A big demo outside,\nbut no coverage in mainstream media\u2019.<\/p>\n
In addition, some content has also highlighted fears of large\ndemonstrations or riots in August.<\/p>\n
Iwan further observed that this phenomenon cannot be viewed as\nisolated posts. According to him, when narratives with the same theme\nappear simultaneously across various platforms, using nearly identical\nperspectives, it is reasonable to suspect a systematic effort to shape\npublic opinion.<\/p>\n
\u2018The narrative pattern is also relatively similar, namely raising\nissues of inequality, poverty and economic hardship, but then framing\nthem manipulatively by mixing in disinformation, slander, or information\ntaken out of context,\u2019 he said.<\/p>\n
\u2018When information is deliberately engineered to create hatred, what\noccurs is no longer social control, but rather a propaganda operation\nthat has the potential to disrupt social stability,\u2019 he added.<\/p>\n
Iwan assessed that several communication patterns bear similarities\nto the preconditions before the August 2025 riots, such as the massive\nspread of emotional narratives, the use of easily viral content, and the\nexploitation of issues that touch on public anxieties.<\/p>\n
However, he said it cannot be concluded that the current situation\nwill definitely lead to or form part of the same scenario as the August\n2025 events without strong evidence.<\/p>\n
\u2018What needs attention is that in various political and social\ndynamics, escalation often begins with a war of narratives in the\ndigital space. The important lesson is that the digital space must not\nbe allowed to become an arena for the spread of unverified information\nthat triggers polarisation and conflict in the real world,\u2019 he said.<\/p>\n
\u2018Law enforcement against those who spread hoaxes, slander or unlawful\nincitement must also be carried out professionally and fairly in\naccordance with applicable regulations,\u2019 he added.<\/p>\n
It is known that the Indonesian National Police are currently\ninvestigating hoax videos related to demonstrations circulating on\nsocial media.<\/p>\n
\u2018At present, the team is conducting an in-depth investigation. We\nwill provide information in due course,\u2019 said National Police Chief\nGeneral Listyo Sigit Prabowo in Jakarta on Wednesday.<\/p>\n
He also reminded the public to share information that is factual.<\/p>\n
\u2018Of course freedom exists, but do not do things that violate the law,\nespecially creating false news, let alone committing acts that clearly\nbreach the law,\u2019 said the Police Chief.<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/ipr-urges-public-not-to-be-provoked-by-hoax-content-on-demonstrations-1785952269", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }