Singaraja – The threat of radicalism and digital terrorism is of concern to several parties in the country. In order to take steps to anticipate radicalism and terrorism propaganda for the academic community, Undiksha invited Kasdam IX/Udayana, Brigadier General TNI Candra Wijaya to provide material online at the Introduction to Campus Life for New Students (PKKMB) activities at Ganesha University of Education 2020, Wednesday (9/9/2020).
Kasdam Candra Wijaya representing the Military Commander IX/Udayana, Major General Kurnia Dewantara emphasized that Undiksha students as millennials and prospective academics must be aware of radicalism and terrorism programs through digital media in cyberspace. As is well known, digital-based media is now very easy and free to access which has led to the use of these media in carrying out propaganda. “What we are afraid of is if there is an assumption that viral news is the truth whether the content is factual or just fictitious,” he said.
Candra Wijaya revealed that by comparing the real conditions of internet users and the behavior of internet users to information needs, it will be easier for opportunities to build digital radicalization and online terrorist networks, especially to form perceptions, manipulate thoughts or cognition, and directly influence behavior with propaganda using news and misleading information/fake news.
Therefore, Candra Wijaya really hopes that through this meeting Undiksha students can take preventive steps and build intelligence in responding to publications online against propaganda of radicalism and terrorism. “To deal with this threat, younger siblings can increase their vigilance when exploring cyberspace, check and recheck news and information received, be self-correcting, increase community literacy, and strengthen public awareness regarding the urgency of harmony and peace,” he emphasized. In fact, Candra Wijaya delivered a slogan “Filter before sharing (sharing)” where all levels of society are expected to always filter information received in any form to ensure its veracity, before sharing or disseminating the news.
In addition, he emphasized that the spirit of unity and unity and love for the homeland can help to deal with the threat of radicalism and terrorism. “We all have to understand and agree that the existence of Pancasila, Unity in Diversity, the 1945 Constitution, and the unitary state of the Republic of Indonesia should not be part of the negotiating material. Together we must have high vigilance so that we can prevent and ward off propaganda of radicalism and digital terrorism in all its forms which threaten and endanger Pancasila, Unity in Diversity, the 1945 Constitution, and the unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia,” he concluded. (hms)
