The Ministry of Communication and Information has urged netizens not to fill digital spaces with hoaxes and hate speech ahead of the 2024 General Elections.

“The ministry’s task to cleanse (digital space) will be optimum if residents use the digital space for good purposes and not tarnish it. No more post-truthism, hoax, misinformation, hate speech, and so on,” Minister Johnny G. Plate said here on Tuesday.

The minister also expressed the hope that the digital space would be used to test political candidates’ political offers and missions in appropriate ways and not to bully candidates.

“Do not use (the digital space) to bully either regional leaders, legislative members, president, or vice president candidates. Use the space to test their programs, visions, and missions because that is how we will develop a good democracy and create a leader we need,” Plate said

Unfortunately, the ministry has observed that hoaxes and hate speech remain rampant on social media, despite the creation of safe digital spaces being essential to ensuring a quality election process, he added.

He added that safe digital spaces would also protect and increase the quality of the younger generation.

Moreover, Plate confirmed that the ministry has set up a task force to conduct cyber patrols, which has started monitoring digital spaces.

“The government also coordinates with the electoral organizers to ensure their work will be smooth and we can achieve a successful general election,” the minister added.

The ministry has also encouraged electronic system providers (PSE) operating in Indonesia to help realize a safe digital space to adhere to the prevailing laws and realize a quality election, he said.

“I ask all PSEs, particularly our digital platforms, to be attentive to and implement all laws and regulations properly during the election period,” Plate said.

Source: Antara News