Jokowi Believes Mainstream Media Can Survive Onslaught Of Social Media

Ambon, Maluku (Antara Bali) - President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) believes the mainstream media can survive by providing comprehensive information amid excessive, high-speed developments in social media.

"Indonesia and other countries in the world are now facing the same challenge. However, I believe that the mainstream media, such as radio and television, can survive although being pounded (by social media)," Jokowi stated in a speech to commemorate the Indonesian 2017 National Press Day in Ambon on Thursday.

While social media has an edge solely in terms of speed of delivering information, mainstream media remains prime in terms of providing in-depth reporting and accuracy.

In this era of globalization, every individual has automatically become a news producer through his or her activity in social media. This phenomenon has lead to a flood of news in social media. Even as several pieces of information are positive and objective, others are false or hoax.

"However, I think this phenomenon is also occurring in other parts of the world and will help to shape us into a mature and resilient nation," the president noted.

Social media is gaining greater popularity among the public and is used by several people across the world, including government officials.

This has also been the main reason for the downfall of the mainstream media that has failed to adapt to the new era. Social media has, on several occasions, created confusion for the government, as false news spread through it has no boundaries.

Hence, President Jokowi has called on the people to stop spreading hoax news in social media, which has divisive effects on the nation.

"In such a situation, the mainstream media must be able to clarify fake news and clear misconceptions related to inaccurate information being disseminated in our society," he emphasized.

On the occasion, President Jokowi expressed concern over the trend in mainstream media of often choosing topics that are widely discussed in social media or trending topics to be the source of news, without verifying the authenticity of the information.

He affirmed that the mainstream media should not forego its responsibility of upholding journalistic ethics, which require professionalism.

Jokowi also lauded the attempts made by the Press Council to conduct verification of the mainstream media to protect the public's right to seek information from trusted and credible media companies. (WDY)