Rector Emphasizes the Importance of Ethics in Public Information Dissemination on Social Media

Harun Nasution Auditorium, UIN News Online - Rector of UIN Syarif Hidayatullah Jakarta, Prof. Asep Saepudin Jahar, M.A., Ph.D., stressed the importance of understanding ethics in public information dissemination. He made this statement during the national seminar titled “Public Information Transparency and Media Broadcasting Democracy in Indonesia,” held on Thursday, July 11, 2024, at the Harun Nasution Auditorium.

The collaborative event, organized by the Faculty of Dakwah and Communication Science (FDIKOM), the Indonesian Broadcasting Commission (KPI), and the Jakarta Information Commission, featured two seminar sessions. The first session discussed the implementation of the Public Information Transparency Law, and the second session addressed the revisions to the Broadcasting Law.

In his remarks, the rector highlighted FDIKOM's active involvement in such events and emphasized the importance of the seminar for enhancing student literacy. He expressed his appreciation and hoped that the seminar would provide a better understanding of public information transparency and the need for revisions to the Broadcasting Law.

Prof. Asep noted that the two seminar topics were crucial for understanding the ethics of public communication, including addressing or engaging with the public, especially on social media. Unlike structured and controlled electronic or mass media, social media lacks the same level of regulation, making it more challenging to manage and monitor information.

Additionally, Prof. Asep shared his experience as a public official, dealing with social media bullying, such as being depicted as a monster in photos. "The question is, does this adhere to ethical standards, or is it merely an unrestricted expression allowing free stigmatization of individuals?" he questioned.

Prof. Asep emphasized the need to maintain ethics in disseminating information on social media and electronic media. He viewed the seminar as an opportunity for students to understand the balance between freedom of expression and ethical communication, especially in providing public information.

Furthermore, Prof. Asep expressed his hope that the event would enhance understanding of public information transparency and the necessity for revising the Broadcasting Law. He anticipated that the seminar would offer valuable input for drafting the Broadcasting Law revisions, benefiting the faculty, university, and Indonesian society.

“May students, as agents of change, continue to be enlightened, particularly in public information dissemination,” he concluded.

The event also included the signing of an MoA between FDIKOM UIN Jakarta, the Central KPI, and the Jakarta Information Commission. The ceremony was followed by the opening of the seminar by the rector.

(Muhammad Naufal Waliyyuddin, Noeni Indah Sulistiyani/ Photo: Indra Aldiansyah)