Viral Hoax Message About Kidnapping, UM Surabaya Media Expert Gives Response

• 01 Feb
• 2023

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Viral Hoax Message About Kidnapping, UM Surabaya Media Expert Gives Response

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• By Uswah Sahal
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The issue of child abduction has been circulating on social media for several days. Child kidnappings that occurred in the Jakarta, Surabaya and surrounding areas are rife and spread via chain messages. The East Java Regional Police confirmed that the information was a hoax.

Radius Setiyawan, a Lecturer in Visual Communication Design (DKV) and a Media Expert at UM Surabaya, said that hoaxes are immoral acts in cyberspace. He said hoaxes come from a mental attitude that overrides integrity.

Radius said that the spread of hoax information related to child abduction cases caused anxiety among the people, so people needed to be reminded not to panic easily. But stay alert.

“In order not to be easily provoked by news circulating in the media, look for the truth first. It is important for the community to filter before sharing," said Radius Wednesday (1/2/23)

Radius, a lecturer in the media studies course, also emphasized that the government, through its apparatus, needs to guarantee the accuracy of information.

"The government through the apparatus must guarantee security. Provide accurate information to the public. This information must be accompanied by a guarantee of a sense of security." he said again.

Furthermore, Radius said that technological advances that buzz with speed and acceleration don't seem to provide a choice of space and everything is forced to follow a fast-paced flow and the effect of it all is panic.

“Society seems to be dragged into a space that forces them to be deceived by disinformation and misinformation. This is illustrated by the recent phenomenon of child abduction. Many people panicked and worried about this information. Though the truth is doubtful, he concluded.