Check The Information First; Training For Conflict-Vulnerable Community Groups
Lingkungan & Krisis Iklim
May 26, 2024
Muhammad Al Fikri/Kota Jambi
Training to prevent disinformation for Malay community farmers at Sumber Jaya village, Muarojambi regency. (photo credits : amiraacademy)
THOSE in conflict-prone areas must be equipped with the knowledge to filter information. The aim is to prevent the emergence of conflicts that could cause problems for themselves.
Such as the Batin Sembilan indigenous people in Hutan Harapan and the Malay community in Kumpe Ulu, for example. These two groups of people at Jambi province, are very close to conflict, especially tenure conflict.
Amiraacademy, a non-profit organization operating in the field of information and communication, has provided education regarding the basics of filtering circulating information, especially that originating from social media, for the public.
With the support of the International Center For Journalists (ICFJ), Amiraacademy, which is run by the amira.co.id news channel, has collaborated with Hutan Harapan to hold training for the Batin Sembilan group at Simpang Macan Luar, Bungku village, Batanghari regency in April 2024.
“We understand our limitations in obtaining information. Weak of cellular phone signals are the main cause,” said Yu Nani, representative of the Batin Sembilan indigenous people.
Using theoretical and practical methods, around 20 Batin Sembilan indigenous people have understood how hoax information circulates quickly, and how to counteract it.
Also, around a dozen staff of PT Restorasi Ekosistem, the manager of Hutan Harapan, took part in this training. So, the desire to carry out conservation for this ecosystem restoration area can be maintained.
Zulfa AMira Zaed, mentor Amiraacademy explain how to find out the correct information, for Batin Sembilan community. (photo credits : amiraacademy)
“Don’t absorb information too quickly. Ask directly from the main source,” said Zulfa Amia Zaed, mentor from Amiraacademy.
Providing knowledge related to this information was also transmitted to farmers from the Malay community in Sumber Jaya village, Kumpe Ulu district, Muarojambi regency. This group has experienced tenure conflicts with several companies for more than twenty years.
“It has been difficult for us to choose which information is correct and which is wrong. But now, we are able to do that,” said Nur Jannah, from Sumber Jaya village.
The training in Sumber Jaya Village was attended by 40 people, where Amiraacademy collaborated with Agrarian Reform Consortium (KPA) Jambi region and the Kumpe Farmers Union (STK). And it will be implemented in May 2024.
“We should be able to apply this good knowledge to prevent confusion in the information received by the public,” said M Yaser from KPA Jambi region.
Apart from targeting women and the younger generation, this training on countering disinformation was also attended by older people in each group.
The hope is that new initiatives will emerge for many people in the group, not to easily spread news that is not yet clear whether it is true or false, and can minimize the commotion that will occur in society.*
