National Police Form New Unit to Tackle 'Fake News' on Social Media
Jakarta. The National Police have formed a new unit to tackle so-called fake news on social media.
The unit, known as the Multimedia Bureau, will be tasked with conducting "cyber-patrols" on the internet.
National Police spokesman Insp. Gen. Boy Rafli Amar said the new unit will monitor and tackle fake news on social media platforms, distribute information regarding public order and educate social media users.
"The police must handle such contents as provocation and negative content [on the internet]. With this bureau, I hope the police will be able to handle these issues," Boy told reporters in Jakarta on Wednesday (22/02).
Former Riau Islands Police deputy chief Brig. Gen. Yan Fitri Halimanyah has been appointed as head of the new unit.
Boy explained that the unit will be working to clarify inaccurate information and traced internet users who post or spread such information on social media.
If social media users are found to have violated the law, such evidence will be handed over to the Criminal Investigation Unit (Bareskrim) for further investigation.
The cyber-patrols will also be aimed at identifying negative content on the internet, Boy added.
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