Sidkon Djampi: Facing the Post-Truth Era, the Public Must Be Critical of Information
West Java Regional Legislative Council (DPRD) Commission I member Sidkon Djampi has reminded the public to be increasingly critical in facing the heavy flow of information in the post-truth era.
The ease of digital technology allows information to spread quickly, but not all circulating information has a factual basis that can be accounted for.
According to Sidkon, the post-truth era is marked by a condition in which opinion, emotion, and personal belief often have more influence over the formation of public views than objective facts. This is a serious challenge, especially amid the massive use of social media.
“Now the public must be increasingly intelligent in receiving information. Do not let something that is continuously repeated on social media then be considered a truth, even though it is not necessarily based on facts,” said Sidkon on Saturday (15/8/2026).
He assessed that the development of digital technology basically provides many benefits. The public can obtain information quickly and has a wider space to express opinions.
However, this ease also brings consequences in the form of an increased potential for the spread of hoaxes, disinformation, and narratives deliberately constructed to influence public opinion.
Therefore, Sidkon encouraged the public to make a habit of verifying before believing or spreading information. The source of the news, the context of the information, and the credibility of the party conveying it need to be taken into consideration.
“Do not easily believe just because the information matches what we believe. It must be checked: who the source is, what the facts are, and what the context is,” he said.
Sidkon emphasised the importance of the role of families, educational institutions, government, mass media, and civil society in building digital literacy. The ability to sort information is an important part of citizens’ skills amid technological development.
He hoped the public would not only become consumers of information, but also be able to become responsible users of digital media. A critical attitude is needed so that public space is not filled with misleading information that has the potential to trigger conflict.
“In the post-truth era, what is needed is not only a public that quickly obtains information, but a public that is able to distinguish between facts, opinions, and information manipulation,” said Sidkon.
According to him, mass media also has an important position in maintaining the quality of public space. Journalism that prioritises verification and balance is considered still needed as a reference for the public amid the heavy flow of information from various digital platforms.
Sidkon added that technological progress should be followed by an increase in public maturity in using it. With strong digital literacy, the public is expected not to be easily provoked by information whose truth has not been verified.
“Do not let technology that should make life easier instead become a means to spread lies. The public must become critical, intelligent, and responsible users of technology,” he said.