Ministry of Communication and Informatics Highlights the Role of Gen Z in Digital Democracy in Indonesia
The Ministry of Communication and Informatics (Kominfo) recently attended an open doctoral promotion session at Airlangga University (UNAIR). The ministry's presence aimed to discuss critical issues regarding the future of democracy in the digital era, particularly concerning the younger generation or Gen Z in Indonesia.
During the session, the main focus of the discussion was a dissertation examining the influence of digital democracy, political literacy, and the post-truth political phenomenon. The research highlights how information technology is changing the way the younger generation interacts with the political world and how they filter information on social media.
Experts in attendance emphasized that political literacy is crucial for Gen Z. Amidst the vast amount of information spread across the internet, the ability to distinguish between facts and opinions is the key to maintaining a healthy democracy. Without proper literacy, the public, especially young people, is vulnerable to falling into the trap of disinformation.
Furthermore, the discussion also highlighted the challenges of post-truth politics, where emotions and personal beliefs often carry more weight than objective facts. This phenomenon poses a major challenge for the government and educational institutions in creating a more educational and objective digital space for all citizens.
In conclusion, the event underscored the importance of collaboration between academics and the government. It is hoped that the results of this research can serve as a foundation for future government policies in improving the quality of digital democracy and political literacy for the younger generation in Indonesia.