The times have produced sophisticated technology that has an impact on the flood of information flows. The presence of new media such as Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter make it easier for people to access and disseminate information without time and space limits. The impact is that society will be richer in information and knowledge. However, on the other hand, the amount of information sometimes has a negative effect because more and more incorrect information is circulating.
This condition is supported by data on internet usage in Indonesia. Based on data reported from We Are Social, in 2020 the number of internet users in Indonesia will reach 175.4 million. This means that based on the total population in Indonesia reaching 272.1 million people, around 64% of people use the internet (Detik.com).
The data explains that the condition of society today cannot be separated from the use of the internet. This means that people have great potential to intersect with social media, so they can easily receive and access information.
This condition indicates that humans have entered the post-truth era. A condition characterized by the amount of information that contains an element of justification even though it looks wrong. Information that looks wrong can be considered true if the general public confirms it. Even without any attempt to trace the truth of the information. As a result, it is no longer oriented to the truth but to justification based on subjectivity and group opinion.
The post-truth era makes truth pseudo. This is because the truth is no longer measured based on facts and objectivity, but prioritizes sensational and emotionality. The public will be more likely to be interested in information that involves elements of feelings that touch their psychological side.
Healthy logic will be overcome with perverted sensations and emotions. The impact is that the community will be affected and provoked by this information.
As a small example, some people think that fatty foods will make the body fat. This assumption has become the belief of the general public even though not all fat makes a person fat. There are unsaturated fats that actually don't make you fat.
In addition, post-truth information is also present in the political sphere, such as the United States presidential election between Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton in 2014, the DKI Jakarta Governor Election in 2017, and the 2019 Indonesian Presidential Election.
Information Filtering
The flood of information flows makes people have to be smart in capturing information. Filtering information is an ideal way to dissect credibility and correctness. Do not let the public easily accept and disseminate information that is not yet known the truth.
With this, the public is required to be critical in receiving information and wise in disseminating information on social media. This way will reduce information that is justification, not the truth.
The ability to filter media is greatly influenced by the media literacy of the community. Potter said, "Taking control is what media literacy is all about". Good media literacy skills will be able to distinguish the boundaries between the real and virtual world. If we are able to distinguish social reality and media reality, then we will be able to be more critical and not easily manipulated. Good media literacy skills will make people smart in receiving and analyzing information.
Filtering this information, we have been reminded of the information in Q.S Al-Hujurat verse 10 which says "People who believe, if among you receive information from someone (wicked), then study and examine the truth of the information. Do not let you regret the lie of information that has been circulating widely ”.
The verse above provides an illustration for us to always be careful in receiving information, especially in the current post-truth era. Filter first before sharing.
Especially with the issuance of the Law on Information and Electronic Transactions by the government. As set out in article 28 states "Every person knowingly and without the right to disseminate information that is shown to cause hatred or hostility to certain individuals and groups of society based on ethnicity, religion, race, and intergroup".
This article illustrates that spreading false information and causing hostility is prohibited.
Proclaiming the Truth
Apart from the role of the community in filtering information, journalists and the media also play a big role in presenting the information. Whether the information presented is correct or not will depend on the credibility of journalists and media.
The neutrality element of journalists and the media is an important value that must always be upheld. Thus, the public receives information based on facts, not information that is mixed with various interests. Do not let journalists and the media report information that contains an element of interest-based on profit, not on the truth.
Looking for the neutrality of journalists and media in the post-truth era is something that is difficult to find. Especially when it comes to political interests. People often become victims of confusion with the information received. Material orientation has become God even though it violates the truth. Presenting information that attracts the wider community is more of a top priority even though it is contrary to the actual facts.
Press and broadcasting laws are nothing but writing that has no effect. Various elements of interest have enveloped journalists and media. As there is a term which says "whoever controls the media will surely be able to rule the world".
Because all information flows will be easily controlled. Thus building one's personal credibility becomes something that is difficult compared to presenting technology. It's useless if technological sophistication is only used as a tool to achieve self-interest at the expense of the interests of many people. Therefore, building a qualified human being spiritually and intellectually is needed in facing the post-truth era.
