REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, By: Asma Nadia

An incoming message in WhatsApp application showed a Police Chief circular regarding the handling of hate speech, especially in social media.

There are responding positively to the policy that is believed to encourage those who are active in the virtual world to be wise and cautious. There are also giving a negative response because the circular feared to give authority for the government to limit the movement of citizen. Moreover, not long after it was issued, there was a case of an office boy in Ponorogo who was reported to the police for posting memes that offend a member of traffic policeman.

Everything, even a good intentions can be double-edged. I saw the fact that many citizen are still not wise in using social media. Instead of using social media for good things and spread benefits, most of citizen were often using social media to harass or damage reputation of an individual character, that has been built for years.

Not only once or twice, accusations without evidences spread in the virtual world. There are also slander without clarification and various types of hate speech and insults for no apparent reason.

I invited those who spread slander in social media not to be reckless, because there is not only law of the world, but there is also a law of God in the afterlife.

The Prophet Muhammad reminded in an hadith, the slanderer deeds will be taken for granted at their victim. Then the sin of slander victim will be charged to the slanderer who spread lies.

However, the slanderer ego is stronger than faith in ignoring the warning of hadith. They remain free to spread slander and hatred in social media.

This circular letter may be the answer to stop the slanderer and hate-mongers who may no longer believe in the afterlife consequences.

With sincerity of police and support of IT to stop incitement, fake account owner is not easy to dodge. They can be found by tracing the IP address, the type of gadget, and various other methods. In essence, the police have a variety of ways to uncover the real identity behind a fake account. And it has been widely proven.

National Police Chief Gen. Badrodin Haiti confirmed that the issuance of Hate Speech Circular aims to prevent conflict in the community. There were a lot of incidents began with hate speech, that is provocation, incitement, and others. The existence of this circular was expected that the police were able to prevent criminal acts - or even social conflict, as a result of hate speech.

This approach has successfully helped reduce more severe damage - and conflict -  in the final match of Presidents Cup 2015 in Jakarta a few weeks ago.

However, what if the police or the authorities take advantage of this circular as a tool for the benefit of some people?

Actually, without this circular, the police could still use another 'weapon', such articles relating to defamation, insult, and dissemination of false news.

So, that is not right if we say the authority will take benefit from this policy. If we see again, the circular has much in favor of interests of the community.

The police, the government, and the presidency are not perfect institutions, but it is still not necessarily to be hate. People may protest, criticism may be submitted, but the hatred that was created based on lies is not allowed, even by religion.

After seeing the meme of traffic policeman, I can understand. Fictional dialogue in the meme as the traffic policeman was talking with his wife about the money ticketed to be used for shopping, is certainly not pleasant.

I just saw the circular as similar fresh air for the public and ordinary people who often become victims of slander and do not know whom to ask for help.

Now, public that become victims of slander in social media, can easily come to the police station and bring captured offensive or libelous postings as evidence.

The police will follow up. Initially, there will be mediation, then it will be proceed to a more serious stage. So, if you do not want to be tangled in such case, from now on, you should not rash to spread slander and hatred in social media.

Convey protest in any way, but still follows the rules in moral and legal way.

If you want to criticize, express it with an elegant way to change, not to hate. Once again, I hope that this policy is carried out well. All people's eyes will be on guard to see that the rules are made not for the momentary interests of a group of people, but simply for the sake of the common good.

Hopefully longing for the more friendly world of social media, could be answered.

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