JABAR EKSPRES – The Riau Islands Provincial Communication and Informatics Office (Kepri) said government public relations officers must be able to verify fake news published by websites, mass media or a number of irresponsible individuals ahead of the 2024 General Election.
“Fake news or hoaxes can disrupt the smoothness and success of the five-year democratic party,” said Head of Communication and Public Relations at the Riau Islands Diskominfo, Trio Andana in Tanjungpinang, Sunday (6/11).
According to him, one way to counterbalance the fake news, the role of government public relations from various aspects must be improved.
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Government public relations are required to work quickly and massively in helping disseminate correct election information to the public.
“This fast movement is an effort to compensate for the many hoax news that disturb the public,” he said.
He also hopes that government public relations can provide support in developing public education content and disseminating information about the 2024 simultaneous elections and regional elections by using the media to succeed the democratic party in the country.
In addition, Trio said, public relations must also be committed to information disclosure in accordance with Law Number 14 of 2008 concerning Public Information Disclosure, so as to increase public trust in the public body.
“One of the characteristics of a democratic country is public information disclosure. It is not said to be a democratic country, if there is no public participation and openness,” he said.
Meanwhile, media consultant Imam Wahyudi gave tips on how government public relations can be fast and massive in disseminating various information to counterbalance hoax news.
First, according to him, public relations must be at the forefront of conveying information, do not avoid the media.
Second, make news or information in terms of the attractiveness of the information, namely in terms of security or safety, bag contents, disturbances, and choices.
