Jakarta – Dr. Lestari Nurhajati as the Head of Publication, Center of Research, Publication and Communication Service, gave direction on Digital Media Literacy COVID-19 Issues that we are facing, on Monday, March 30, 2020. This content was published through the LSPR Jakarta YouTube channel.

She explained that Digital Media Literacy is understood as a concept, understanding, knowledge, skills, and skills of an individual when they would access information and use it through digital media channels. It is necessary to understand the importance of looking at the current information and reporting process. This is because there are many subjective claims of information and reporting about COVID-19 that are considered valid and true.

Dr. Lestari said, “The thing we need to understand in Digital Media Literacy is in terms of consumption and production, on the consumption side we see from how we process the news and information, how we select the news, and how we understand it, and we must be able to analyze, verify and evaluate. We must be careful in choosing news from the applications we use. We need to know the background of the account owner who is reporting or informing about Corona viruses. This selection is important so that we can find out the right news, what we can use, and incorrect news”.

According to her, now it is necessary to analyze and verify the news. “We review information separately and try to seek positive news that we consume to see if the source is right, and who is responsible for it, the editor, and so on, then it is evaluated. This proceeds with the stages of information production or news production, can be by distributing information and news, we spread it to our relatives, friends, and our environment, with a responsibility that the news is true”, she said in the short duration video.

Sometimes consumers are too hasty in distributing information so that it provides and spreads` information that is not right, even misleading people with the wrong information. Things that can be considered also in the production process are collaboration and participation, in collaboration with various parties who have credibility in their fields. “For example, in producing news about COVID-19, we can collaborate with those who have credibility in the health sector”, she stressed.

When information on this issue develops or expands rapidly, consumers are usually tired of listening or getting information repeatedly, even though the nature of the news is less positive. This is what can trigger stress and paranoia, so it needs to be avoided. She appealed, “Do not let us over-consume negative news. Regarding the COVID-19 pandemic, we can access information or news provided by websites that are officially released by the government, if there is news outside the government website, we can analyze, understand, verify and evaluate in advance to find out the truth of the news. This can help to fight the issue of incorrect coronavirus”. 

Article by Putri Syifa

Photo by LSPR Jakarta

YouTube – LSPR Jakarta