Social Media Hoax Makes Innocent Man a Terrorist
Jakarta. With Indonesian netizens being faster than light in spreading information, an innocent man was publicly condemned in relation to the suicide attack in Kampung Melayu, East Jakarta, on Wednesday night (24/05).
In a vicious circle of hoax, which saw his identification card circulated not only on social media platforms, but also by several online news portals, Wiryawan Indra Wijaya, 36, a resident of Kampung Ranji Tengah in Sukabumi, West Java, was taken by police for questioning.
A photocopy of Wirayawan's ID card was edited and juxtaposed with the suicide bomber's head. The image immediately ignited a social media uproar.
"He is fine and he knows nothing about the perpetrators of the terrorist act in Jakarta," Sukabumi Police chief Sr. Adj. Comr. Rustam Mansur said, as quoted by Antaranews.com on Thursday.
Although the police announced the man had nothing to do with the attack, great damage has already been done to his well-being.
Wiryawan's family plans to take legal action against those who had spread the defamatory content causing injury to his name and reputation.
"We're consulting our lawyer and we'll file a police report," said Adi Rustandi, Wiryawan's relative.
Wiryawan left his ID card at a factory in Cimande, Bogor, West Java, as a security deposit.
To his dismay, the identity card was used in the outrageous social media prank.
"I feel harmed by those who circulated the photo of my ID card, I hope the perpetrators will be caught," Wiryawan said.
Do Not Repost Disturbing Images
In the aftermath of a terrorist attack, the public's fear is often disproportionate to the actual threat, as the mass media coverage tends to transmit the impact of a disaster far beyond those who are exposed to it. Sharing disturbing content on social media platforms only reinforces the already present fearmongering.
According to Dicky Pelupessy, a psychology lecturer of the University of Indonesia, the circulation of images depicting graphic violence does not only fuel the fear, but is psychologically harmful to all, especially children.
"There is no need, no benefit, the only result is making others terrified," said Dicky, who with other therapists of the Pulih Foundation worked closely with the 2004 Aceh tsunami victims suffering from post-traumatic stress.
The National Counterterrorism Agency (BNPT), lawmakers and Social Affairs Minister Khofifah Indar Parawansa have called on members of the public to resist from sharing images of the Kampung Melayu incident.
"Please don't let the photos or videos of the terrorist act in Kampung Melayu turn viral, as it will only make those behind it succeed in spreading fear," Khofifah said.
Senior journalist Goenawan Mohamad said on his official Twitter account: "There was a blast. There are victims. Please don't share the photos. Widespread fear is what the terrorists want."
Ada ledakan. Ada korban. Harap jangan sebarkan foto2. Ketakutan yg meluas, itu yg dikehendaki teroris. pic.twitter.com/bJfeV0Iqbu — goenawan mohamad (@gm_gm) May 24, 2017
According to the latest updates, the Islamic State militant group has claimed responsibility for the deadly attack.
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