Deputy Minister: Technology Must Preserve Indonesian Culture

Deputy Minister of Communication and Digital Nezar Patria stated that technological developments must still provide space for the diversity of knowledge and culture that live in the community. According to him, digital transformation not only changes the way people communicate and work but also determines how local knowledge, language, and culture are recognized, stored, and passed on to the next generation. Patria highlighted that social media, filled with negative content such as pornography, disinformation, and hoaxes created with deepfake technology, demonstrates how the unlimited digital space can allow foreign cultures that do not align with national culture to enter and influence society. "Here, the Ministry of Communication and Digital moderates content and regulates content that violates rules, for example, pornography. The platform also has community guidelines that filter content that is inappropriate or violates laws in a country," he said. Therefore, Patria expressed hope that technology can be utilized by the younger generation to learn about their cultural roots, gain access to local knowledge, and simultaneously provide indigenous people and local communities with opportunities to be present as owners and creators of knowledge. "Amidst our ease of accessing information on these social media platforms, let us take care of our reason, maintain our critical thinking, preserve our sanity, and use it wisely for positive things," he concluded. The Deputy Minister also urged the public to always be wise in using social media platforms.