MPR Equips Students with Digital Literacy to Combat Hoaxes

The Head of the Public Relations and Information Systems Bureau of the MPR RI Secretariat General, Budi Muliawan, has called on Gen Z students to become the front line in the fight against hoaxes in the digital era. Speaking at a school orientation event (MPLS) at Al Azhar 19 Islamic High School in Ciracas, Jakarta, on Tuesday, Budi stated that the challenges facing the younger generation today are no longer physical wars, but battles against hoaxes, disinformation, and the misuse of artificial intelligence. He emphasised that every piece of information must be filtered and verified before being believed or disseminated.

In his presentation titled ‘Building National Character in the Digital Era’, Budi noted that social media algorithms can shape a person’s perspective, making it crucial for students to develop critical thinking skills. He stressed that national character must not only be learned in the classroom but also demonstrated in daily behaviour, including on social media. One form of defending the nation in the digital age, he said, is not easily believing hoaxes and not sharing information whose truth is unclear.

Budi also introduced the students to the Four Pillars of the MPR RI: Pancasila, the 1945 Constitution, the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia, and Bhinneka Tunggal Ika. He explained that strengthening these national values serves as an important fortress to prevent the younger generation from being easily provoked by misleading information or efforts to divide national unity. He encouraged students to engage in open discussions, respect differing opinions, and broaden their horizons through credible sources of information.

During an interactive dialogue session, students raised questions about freedom of expression on social media, the threat of digital radicalism, and the MPR RI’s role in providing participatory spaces for youth. A student named Salwa, who actively writes political poetry on social media, asked whether the MPR RI provides a platform for young people to openly convey their ideas and aspirations. Budi Muliawan responded by highlighting the MPR RI’s official website, Instagram, YouTube, and other social media channels as platforms for the public, including students, to obtain information and voice their aspirations politely and responsibly. He also invited the students to visit the MPR RI building to utilise its facilities, including a library with a collection of national and constitutional literature.

Addressing a question from a student named Aufa regarding the threat of radicalism in the digital space, Budi Muliawan stated that the most important step to counter radical ideologies is to habitually verify every piece of information and not be easily influenced by unverified narratives. He added that the role of parents and teachers remains vital in supervising children’s digital activities, including social media use and online gaming. The event concluded with a hope that such national dialogues with students will continue to prepare a young generation that is critical, possesses strong character, loves the homeland, and can utilise technological advancements wisely and responsibly.