GOVT TO SET UP CYBER AGENCY TO FIGHT FAKE NEWS

By Andi Abdussalam

Jakarta, Jan 4 (Antara) - The Indonesian government will soon establish a National Cyber Agency to help overcome the threat of fake news that aims to spread slanderous messages and hatred through social media.          President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) had instructed him during a meeting to immediately establish the National Cyber Agency, according to Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs Wiranto.          The president had directed that the agency be formed at the earliest to curb the spread of false news that could threaten people and harm their interests.          The spread of hoax messages through the social media, among others, can create confusion and doubts about the veracity of the information. Irresponsible parties can thus exploit this confusion created to sow hatred,  and create disunity and hostility among the people, the minister explained.      "We are technologically advanced now. We are grateful that technology has facilitated better education and helped disseminate information faster, but we are also concerned because individuals could use it to spread defamatory material. This confuses people," Wiranto stressed on Tuesday (January 3).