Bamsoet Appreciates SW60+ Declaration to Tackle Disinformation Challenges
Member of the Indonesian House of Representatives (DPR RI) and 15th Chairman of the People’s Consultative Assembly (MPR RI), Bambang Soesatyo (Bamsoet), has appreciated the establishment of the Indonesian Senior Journalists Union (SW60+). He believes that the SW60+ declaration comes at an opportune moment, as Indonesia faces serious challenges in the form of social fragmentation, political polarisation, and the torrent of disinformation in the digital space that could disrupt national stability.
He assesses that the phenomenon of social polarisation in Indonesia has become increasingly evident in recent years. Waves of demonstrations throughout 2025 occurred in various regions on a large scale, even involving tens of thousands of people and triggering social tensions in several areas.
In the digital space, he said, polarisation is also evident from the impact of conversations on social media, where a single issue can trigger millions of interactions dominated by negative sentiments in a short time. This situation shows that society is increasingly divided in its perspectives on public issues.
“We are facing a situation where the public space is filled with information that is not all accurate. Social polarisation is becoming sharper, even affecting relations between citizens. In such conditions, the role of senior journalists is very important in maintaining the direction and public sanity,” Bamsoet stated in his remarks on Saturday (18/4/2026).
The 20th Chairman of the DPR RI and Chairman of Commission III of the DPR RI explained that the proliferation of hoaxes and disinformation is exacerbating the situation. Throughout 2025, numerous hoax issues circulated, ranging from videos of riots, rumours of officials resigning, to conflict narratives that turned out to be untrue. Even the presence of buzzers has now become part of the information ecosystem that actively influences public opinion and the way society thinks.
“We cannot turn a blind eye to the fact that an information war is underway. Hoaxes, propaganda, and narrative manipulation pose a real threat to national unity. This is where senior journalists must take on the role of clarifiers and balancers,” Bamsoet emphasised.
Deputy General Chairman of Golkar Party, Deputy General Chairman of the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KADIN Indonesia), and Deputy General Chairman/Head of the State Defence Agency of FKPPI, reminded that identity politics is one of the biggest challenges in maintaining national unity.
The exploitation of religious, ethnic, and certain social group issues in political contests has narrowed the space for dialogue and increased the potential for horizontal conflict. In this situation, the media has a very determining role, whether it will become a trigger for conflict or a damper.
“Therefore, the press must stand at the forefront in combating identity politics and provocation. The media must not get trapped in framing that sharpens differences, but must promote unity,” Bamsoet concluded.
For information, the SW60+ declaration was held in Jakarta on Friday (17/4). Attendees included Minister of Communication and Digital Affairs Meutya Hafid, Press Council Chairman Komaruddin Hidayat, Central Indonesian Journalists Association (PWI) Chairman Akhmad Munir, Presidential Chief of Staff M. Qodari, Deputy General Chairman of the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) Marsudi Syuhud, DPR RI Member Ahmad Doli Kurnia, SW60+ Chairman Wahyu Muryadi, Anies Baswedan, Arsjad Rasjid, Budiman Tanuredjo, Suryopratomo, Panda Nababan, Eros Djarot, Sujiwo Tedjo, Susi Pudjiastuti, Saleh Husin, Rudiantara, Nasir Tamara, Todung Mulya Lubis, Don Bosco Selamun, Sofwan Wanandi, Kemal Effendi Gani, Marah Sakti Siregar, as well as other senior journalists.