Jakarta, INTI - The Head of the Office of the Masyarakat Anti Fitnah Indonesia (MAFINDO), Farid Zamroni, said that public awareness of the dangers of hoaxes and disinformation in the digital space is increasing, although digital literacy challenges still need to be strengthened.
He noted that more people are beginning to understand the importance of verifying information before believing or sharing content online.
“Many people have started to realize the importance of verifying information before sharing or trusting online content. However, many are still trapped by hoaxes due to limited digital literacy or because some deliberately spread false information,” Farid said.
According to him, a significant number of people continue to fall victim to hoaxes either because of low digital literacy or due to the intentional spread of misinformation by certain parties.
The Public Urged to Respond Wisely to Information
Farid suggested several practical steps for dealing with hoaxes on social media.
The first step is to verify the source of information by checking the credibility of the website or account that distributes the news.
The second step is to avoid forming opinions too quickly before reviewing information from multiple sources.
The third step is to use fact-checking platforms such as TurnBackHoax and CekFakta.
Farid also reminded the public not to immediately share information that has not been verified.
He further encouraged people to report hoax content to social media platforms or to relevant authorities.
AI-Generated Hoaxes Becoming Harder to Detect
Farid emphasized that the public also needs to improve digital literacy and develop a more critical attitude toward hoaxes that use artificial intelligence technology.
He explained that AI-generated hoaxes are becoming increasingly difficult for ordinary users to distinguish.
“People need to strengthen their digital literacy and be more critical toward AI-based hoaxes, because for many users it is becoming harder to differentiate between facts and manipulated content,” he said.
According to Farid, social media users should learn to recognize common signs of hoaxes, such as suspicious image or video quality.
Other warning signs include unclear sources of information and the absence of confirmation from credible media outlets.
He also reminded people not to rush into believing information circulating on the internet.
“Do not rush to believe what you see online. Take time to verify the information before sharing it. You can also use AI-based detection tools that are now becoming available,” he added.
Disinformation Also Targets Public Figures
In Central Java, a wave of disinformation has also targeted the Governor of Central Java, Ahmad Luthfi, toward the end of 2025 and the beginning of 2026.
Various hoax contents circulated on social media platforms such as TikTok, Instagram, and Facebook.
These posts contained several serious allegations, including claims that the governor had been arrested by the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK).
There were also narratives claiming that the government would forcibly collect vehicle taxes directly from residents’ homes.
In reality, the arrest of Fadia was not related to Central Java Governor Ahmad Luthfi.
The KPK confirmed that during the arrest operation Fadia was not with the governor.
Ahmad Luthfi has also denied the statements made by Fadia.
Meanwhile, the issue regarding forced vehicle tax collection is also incorrect.
The program was actually part of a socialization and education campaign aimed at improving public compliance in paying vehicle taxes.
The public has been urged not to easily believe information circulating on social media without verifying it through official sources.
Conclusion
Growing public awareness is helping reduce the spread of hoaxes, but stronger digital literacy and critical thinking remain essential to counter increasingly sophisticated misinformation, including AI-generated content.
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