Police urge public to be discerning when responding to information in digital spaces

The Indonesian National Police are urging the public to be discerning when responding to information circulating in digital spaces by verifying the source, time, location and context of information before believing it.

“Amid the rapid flow of information today, we need to get into the habit of not immediately believing or sharing content. Look at the source, check the time, check the context, and cross-check with information from trusted sources,” said Head of the National Police Public Relations Division Inspector General Johnny Eddizon Isir in a statement in Jakarta on Tuesday.

Isir said one pattern that needs attention is the re-circulation of old content or videos accompanied by new narratives. He reminded the public to re-verify the narrative attached to content.

“Old content can resurface in a different situation. Therefore, what we need to confirm is not only whether the video is real, but also whether the time, location and accompanying narrative match the actual conditions,” he said.

He also reminded the public that even if many accounts post the same information, it does not necessarily mean the post is true. By re-verifying posts they receive, the public can help keep the digital space healthy.

“The digital space is our shared space. Let us protect it by being smart, critical and responsible social media users. Sift before sharing, because one piece of information we share can be passed on to many people,” he said.