Wamenkomdigi urges digital ethics amid viral legal cases
The government says social media algorithms do not verify facts, letting hoaxes and online sentiment pressure law enforcement.
Deputy Minister of Communication and Digital Affairs Nezar Patria urged stronger digital ethics and critical thinking, especially among young people, to respond to legal cases that gain attention on social media. Speaking at the seminar “No Viral No Justice: Perubahan Paradigma Keadilan Hukum di Era Digital” in Central Jakarta on Wednesday (24/6), he said case handling must remain grounded in facts and a fair process, not public anger or online sentiment. Nezar said the phenomenon of cases drawing attention only after going viral is not unique to Indonesia, but has been visible globally for nearly a decade. He also warned that digital platform algorithms do not verify facts, making hoaxes, misinformation, disinformation and rumors easy to spread perceptions different from reality. For that reason, the government is strengthening digital literacy and preparing adaptive regulations.