Digital Literacy Seen as Key Pillar for Accurate, Data-Driven Information
Strengthening digital literacy is considered a crucial step in creating a healthy, trustworthy, and data-based information ecosystem amid the rapid development of information technology. The public’s ability to understand, filter, and verify information is a key factor in preventing the spread of misinformation while reinforcing national resilience.
This was conveyed by Andreas Yulianto Herri Istiyono, Head of the News Planning and Control Team at TVRI Central Java, in Yogyakarta.
According to Andreas, the digital space currently plays a strategic role in shaping public perception of various issues, including strategic government policies. Therefore, the public is required to possess critical thinking skills to avoid being easily influenced by unverified information.
“Inaccurate information can form mistaken perceptions of state policies. Therefore, the public must prioritise credible and accountable sources of information and conduct verification before accepting or disseminating information,” said Andreas.
He explained that inaccurate information has the potential to cause misunderstandings and affect the public’s perspective on various national policies. Consequently, the public is encouraged to make a habit of verifying information and using official sources as the primary reference.
Andreas added that official government information should serve as a benchmark so that the public gains a comprehensive understanding based on valid data. In this way, various strategic national policies can be understood more comprehensively without being distorted by unverified information.
In line with this, the government is also continuously strengthening public communication by delivering positive, educational, and data-driven information. This step is taken to maintain information sovereignty while ensuring the public receives accurate information regarding various strategic national programmes and policies.
Furthermore, Andreas assessed that strengthening digital literacy is not only aimed at preventing the spread of hoaxes but also at building awareness that every individual has a responsibility to maintain the quality of information in the digital space.
“The digital space must be utilised as a productive tool to support national development, strengthen unity, and maintain public trust in various strategic government policies. With good digital literacy, the public will be wiser in responding to information and less easily influenced by misleading narratives,” concluded Andreas.