West Java DPRD and KPID Collaborate to Boost Media Literacy, Strengthen Information Sovereignty
Two West Java figures, Deputy Speaker of the West Java DPRD Ono Surono and Chairman of the West Java Regional Broadcasting Commission (KPID) Adiyana Slamet, have joined forces to organise media literacy programmes. Both are committed to strengthening information sovereignty amid the surge of digitalisation.
Through the innovative “Nyemah Atikan Penyiaran” programme, the West Java DPRD and KPID are going directly to communities to build collective awareness in filtering healthy and educational information.
This strategic step was implemented through a media literacy event titled “Universal Oversight: Building a Spirit of Public Mutual Cooperation in Safeguarding Information Sovereignty in the Digital Era”, held in Cirebon. The event marked an important moment to affirm that universal oversight is no longer merely an option, but an urgent necessity for Indonesia’s digital space.
Adiyana Slamet said the joint working visit with the legislature aimed to provide comprehensive education to the people of Cirebon. Media oversight can no longer be limited to conventional platforms such as television and radio, but must extend into the increasingly massive digital realm.
“This is part of our visit to Cirebon together with Mr Ono, in the context of conducting literacy work, providing information to the public so they can participate in overseeing broadcasting and similar media issues,” he said on Wednesday (15 July).
He emphasised that exposure to internet-based media today requires a strong line of defence from the public. Therefore, collaboration between the KPID, DPRD and the public is the key to improving the quality of human resources in the information sector, particularly in combating the dangers of hoaxes.
“Hoaxes are a disease and a threat to West Java and to Indonesia. The West Java Provincial KPI is fully backed by the West Java Provincial DPRD to carry out literacy work not only for Generation Z and millennials. We also visit primary schools together with parents to sort and select age-appropriate content, in line with regulation and ideology,” Adiyana asserted.
REGULATIONS MUST BE ENFORCED
Meanwhile, Deputy Speaker of the West Java DPRD Ono Surono welcomed and fully supported the consistency of the West Java KPID in educating residents.
According to him, the development of the digital world, unhindered by space and time, has two sides of the coin: enormous potential for progress alongside equally significant threats.
“With the current development of the digital world, which is not limited by space and time, things could go too far. That is why rules or regulations must be enforced. The DPRD’s function is to ensure that these various regulations are implemented,” he stated.
Ono reminded that with West Java’s population of 51 million, the majority of whom are active internet users, future challenges will become increasingly complex. Crucial issues such as the proliferation of online gambling, the spread of fake news and the need for age restrictions on digital content are homework that must be urgently addressed through firm regulation.
“We need firm regulations, products of the central government that serve as the basis for the West Java Provincial Government to draft Regional Regulations (Perda) or Governor Regulations (Pergub). Equally important is public education, because regulation cannot be the government’s responsibility alone — we must also invite the public to participate,” he concluded.