Multi-stakeholder's Approach in Combating Hoax and Disinformation in the Digital Age

Some researches argues that the two main forces that shape the world in the 21stcentury are youth (digital natives) and information and communication technology (ICT). These two components have their respective potential and when optimally utilized in concert they wield the capacity to instigate high-paced global socio-economic growth. In addition, the ICT, including internet, is also utilized as a key tool in conducting communications within organizations, among organizations, and among relevant stakeholders to improve nation public services. In response to this phenomenon, ICT Ministry of Indonesia has designed a fiber-optic network that covers the entire territory of Indonesia, starting from the eastern to the western of Indonesia. This ‘Palapa Ring’ (also called as Sky Highway) project is formulated to connect all regions in the country with fast internet network and aims to flatten internet data prices in Indonesia. Palapa Ring has finished 2,275 kilo meters (100%) in the western region, 2,995 kilo meters (100%) in the middle region, and 94.5% in the eastern region which will be finished in 2019. Palapa Ring can be used by all internet provider based in Indonesia and will be subsidized by the government.
 
However, the rapid development of sophisticated ICT in the digital age today is shadowed by developing discussions on the potential of digital transformation of news media functioning as a means to spread fake news (or precisely: disinformation). From rising societal tensions among ethnic fault lines, to the rising number of persecutions and hate-speech against political minorities, it has not become a rare sight to witness world's news headlines most popular buzzwords: “hoax” and "mis/dis/mal-information".  In January 2019, Ministry of Communication and Informatics of Indonesia stated there was 175 hoaxes, and increased to 353 news in February. The fact was so apprehensive considering Indonesia poses a large and fast-growing market for mobile technologies. 

To depress the number of hoaxes or fake news,digital literacy should be evenly and massively spread throughout the nation, which is magnified by the collaborative support from multi-stakeholder.We must also conduct strong actions, such as legal implementation of the laws, digital literacy education and clear community guidelines that prohibit the spread of hoax, disinformation and dangerous content with accountable approach as well as respecting freedom of expression and online rights. The scopes of digital literacy such as: a. protection: personal data protection, cyber security, privacy; b. fulfilment of right: freedom of expression, intellectual property, social activism; and c. empowerment: digital ethics, entrepreneurship, citizen journalism.
 
Government of Indonesia, CSOs, academics, business sectors, communities and media have reached an agreement in creating a collaboration namely “Siberkreasi” which aims to be an umbrella for the community-based and grass-root level movement on digital literacy.Currently, more than 100 national level institutions and communities have collaborated and implemented 386 activities with 175,000 active participants. It also has a website with free downloadable books, videos, and infographics.With such a broad and inclusive participation, Siberkreasi could be recognized as the biggest and most comprehensive voluntary collaboration on digital literacy, at least, in Southeast Asia.