Beware of hoaxes ahead of the 2019 general election

KOMPAS/WAWAN H PRABOWO

Banners encouraging people not to spread hoaxes are seen on Jl. S Parman, Jakarta, on Friday (23/11/2018). Perpetrators can be charged under Article 28 of the Electronic Information Transactions (ITE) Law.

Finally, it has been revealed that rumor circulating on social media about the ballots that had been cast was baseless news or hoaxes. The news had raised fears of cheating in the 2019 presidential election. Even though the hoax could finally be denied, the issue is alarming: hoaxes are still widely spreading and becoming a campaign strategy.

The baseless news on social media is very dangerous. The news is confusing and has the potential to create chaos. Why is it so dangerous?