Illustration: Blocking internet access is not a long-term solution for a conflict. (Image via Council of Europe)

Internet blocking will not solve hoaxes: Expert

Alfonsus Adi Putra
Politics & Economic
News Flash Indonesia
Sep 25, 2019
2286
The Institute for Policy Research and Advocacy (ELSAM) stated that the idea that blocking of internet access would halt the distribution of hoaxes and misinformation is fallacious.

ELSAM pointed out that by blocking internet access, people’s ability to access valid and trustworthy sources would also be crippled. While it surely halts the distribution of hoaxes, people who received these hoaxes could not validate them through sources. Internet access should prove helpful in debunking these hoaxes.

While doing it once was not a problem, the repetitive internet blocking was seen as misleading and resulted in serious consequences. People could not get the verified news and in turn, believe these hoaxes instead.

ELSAM noted that the Indonesian government had blocked internet access thrice. The first time was during the 2019 election demonstration last May, then during the West Papuan and Papuan unrest in August, and the latest was during the Wamena unrest in September.

The institute then questioned the Indonesian government’s procedure in tackling these hoaxes because when unrest erupts, the government just shuts down the internet access in the affected area, claiming to tackle hoaxes. While it might seem to be a short-term solution, the blocking is ineffective for long.

Source: https://www.cnnindonesia.com/teknologi/20190924181707-192-433503/pengamat-anggap-blokir-internet-keliru-tangkal-hoaks

Politics , Government , Conflict , Unrest , Internet , Telecommunication , Hoax , ASEAN , Indonesia , Papua , Racism