JAYAPURA - The Papua Provincial Government expects the establishment of synergy with all mass media, in order to prevent the circulation of hoaxes (fake news) that have the potential to cause division and conflict.

"Synergy between the Papua Provincial Government and the media has been built well so far".

"I think it needs to be improved or re-effective to prevent the increasing news and false information (hoax) about Papua," said Assistant II of Regional Secretariat of Papua, Muhammad Musa'ad at a meeting of the Papua Provincial Government with the Editor-in-Chief of print, electronic and online media at the Papua Communication and Informatics Office, Tuesday (12/4/2022).

Although he admitted that it was difficult to prevent the hoax, Musaad called on all parties (including the mass media) not to be inferior to the oblique information that exist and is not based on facts or proper rules.

"For truth cannot be defeated by unrighteousness. Truth is important and we must tell the truth. So that the meeting with media leaders in Jayapura is very important to equally voice the truth about Papua, "said Musaad.

The same was conveyed by the Spokesman of the Governor of Papua, Rifai Darus, who on that occasion acted as a Keynote Speaker.

According to him, since January 2022, there have been as many as 100 hoaxes related to the Governor of Papua, Lukas Enembe, found circulating on social media.

That is, the spread of hoax news in Papua today is no longer just a matter of security and sovereignty, but has begun to target the governor.

"For example, a hoax news that appeared in April 2022 that said the condition of the Governor of Papua, Lukas Enembe, was seriously ill. Whereas last night the governor was meeting with members of the Papuan Parliament who will submit people's aspirations about expansion," he said.

Fake news related to the Governor of Papua previously appeared in February about the independent papuan movement and March related to gratitude for the victory of Lukas Enembe as Chairman of the Regional Representative Council of the Papuan Democratic Party.

"Our team is always monitoring these things and is ready to clarify by providing actual information," he said.

Therefore, he added, the Governor really wants the role of the media in preventing fake news in Papua.

"I believe only journalists can be trusted in conveying positive information and we are ready to fight against hoaxes," he said.

It is known that the meeting of the Papua Provincial Government with the Editor-in-Chief of mass media in Jayapura was initiated by the Head of the Communication and Informatics Department of Papua, Jeri A. Yudianto.

The activity will be followed by a meeting with journalists in Jayapura scheduled for Wednesday. ***