Optimise verification amid ease of obtaining news: President

Jakarta (ANTARA) - President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) emphasized the need for residents to strengthen their efforts in verifying news reports amidst the ease of obtaining news and information in the digital era.

While opening the XXX National Quran Competition (MTQ) in Samarinda, East Kalimantan, he said that such capability has become more important since social media allows everyone to be a "journalist" and directly report what they experience.

"The conventional media, which has its editorial board, began to lose against the increasingly dominant social media and online media. Everyone can be a journalist, and citizen journalism without its editorial board is emerging," the president expounded on Sunday.

Hence, residents should start becoming their own "editorial board" to filter the rapid flow of information and reports that appear before their screens.

"Residents should check and recheck to filter the correct news from hoaxes or false information," he said.

To determine trusted news reports and, in general, good information, the president said that residents need a strong moral basis provided by the religion, as exhibited by the Quran competition.

"The MTQ is not only a momentum to exhibit capabilities in reciting the Quran, but is also a momentum to glorify and propagate Quran teachings and to strengthen the nation's moral and spiritual basis," he explained.

Baca juga: Pemkot Mataram lepas kafilah ke MTQ XXX tingkat nasional di Samarinda
Baca juga: Sebanyak 1.998 peserta akan ikuti MTQ Nasional

While pointing out that Samarinda City once hosted the MTQ almost half a century ago, Jokowi also highlighted that the competition has become increasingly modern and innovative, as shown by the adoption of e-MTQ and e-scoring applications.

"I expect not only the MTQ is improving, but also the implementation of Quranic values, such as honesty, justice, peace, and unity, in our lives," he remarked.