"We see misinformation and disinformation flourishing on social media, posing threats to everything from social cohesion to national life," Nezar said in a statement in Jakarta on Friday.
He explained that Indonesia has 143 million active social media users and 230 million internet users. This situation is believed to have made the digital space an arena for social, economic, and political interaction, followed by a surge in the spread of hoaxes.
"Throughout 2024, the Ministry of Communication and Digital Affairs captured 1,923 pieces of hoax content . That's just the tip of the iceberg. In reality, there are certainly many more," he said.
Nezar highlighted the survey finding that 11.9 percent of respondents admitted to spreading hoaxes. He believes the problem of hoaxes lies not only in the supply of misleading content, but also in the vulnerability within society.
“Someone might know the news is fake but still share it because of other factors such as partisan motivations or emotions,” he said.
