Indonesian Ambassador to the UAE warns against fake news related to Middle East tensions
Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Indonesian Ambassador to the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Judha Nugraha, has urged Indonesians not to easily trust or spread information that has not been verified regarding developments in the tensions in the Middle East region.
Judha says sensitive geopolitical situations often become fertile ground for hoaxes, disinformation, and mis/disinformation, especially in the digital era when information flows rapidly through social media and various communication platforms.
“In situations like this, the public needs to be wiser in receiving information. Do not immediately believe or share information whose source is unclear. Verify, confirm, and re-check from credible official sources,” Judha said in Abu Dhabi when contacted from Jakarta on Saturday (7/3).
He emphasised that the spread of inaccurate information not only misleads the public but also has the potential to worsen the situation and trigger unnecessary panic. Therefore the public is asked to refrain from spreading news that cannot be confirmed.
Judha also reminded that the advances in digital technology nowadays allow for the emergence of manipulative content that looks convincing, including fabricated information created using artificial intelligence (AI). This condition requires the public to be more careful in assessing the authenticity of information circulating.
“Technology now enables the creation of content that looks very real, while in fact it is not true. Therefore it is important to ensure information comes from trusted media or official government statements,” he said.
There were several pieces of content circulating on social media related to the tensions in the Middle East, including visuals depicting missiles falling in various places in the UAE, even though in fact this did not happen, which could provoke worry and fear.
He added that the UAE government has itself implemented very strict rules regarding the spread of false information or content that could provoke public panic. The policy is implemented as a measure to maintain social stability and prevent rumours from worsening security.
In that country, spreading false news or rumours via digital networks can incur criminal penalties.
Under Federal Decree-Law No. 34 of 2021 on the eradication of rumours and cybercrime, those who spread false information can be punished with a minimum of one year in prison and at least 100,000 dirhams in fines, which can rise to two years in prison and a fine of 200,000 dirhams if carried out during a crisis or state of emergency.
Additionally, local authorities emphasised that disseminating or uploading unverified content can be subject to legal proceedings because it can disrupt public safety and national stability.
Amid rising regional tensions, the UAE government also warned the public not to spread rumours or digitally manipulated videos as they can mislead the public.
Judha believes that the firm approach taken by the UAE could serve as an important lesson for all parties, including Indonesia, on the importance of information discipline in the digital public space.
He says the public has a shared responsibility to safeguard the quality of the information space by referring only to credible sources such as official media, government agencies, or relevant authorities’ statements.
“We all have a responsibility to maintain a healthy information ecosystem. Let’s not contribute to spreading information that is not true and that may worsen the situation,” he said.
The Indonesian Embassy in Abu Dhabi continues to monitor developments in the region and coordinate with various local authorities to ensure the safety and protection of Indonesian citizens in the UAE.
He also urged Indonesians, especially those in the Middle East, to remain calm, follow developments from official sources, and not be swayed by unverified news.