Jakarta. The government has called on Indonesia's mainstream media to join the battle against hoaxes and fake news, a move announced by Communications and Informatics Minister Rudiantara during a discussion on World Press Freedom Day at the Jakarta Convention Center (JCC) on Tuesday (02/05).

"Hoaxes and fake news are not just a problem in Indonesia, but a global problem. The mainstream media should help us, the government, to fight them," Rudiantara said.

He said all media organizations should base their stories on verifiable data and comply to the journalistic code of ethics.

Just by doing its job properly, mainstream media should be able to straighten lies being spread on social media, the minister added.

Rudiantara said the Press Council will play its role by verifying the status of local media organizations and subject all journalists to competency tests.

The minister underlined that the government’s call to arms against hoaxes should not be seen as an attempt to interfere with freedom of the press in the country.

"There is no government or ministerial regulations that can undermine the current Press Law. The government will never intervene with the media. The press is self-regulatory, the Press Council is just there to manage it," Rudiantara said.