The Reality Check Indonesia project – realitycheck.id, a collaboration between the Development Policy Foundation (DPF) and the Foreign Policy Community of Indonesia (FPCI), aims to build resilience against disinformation among Indonesian students and young opinion leaders. Supported by the Polish Ministry of Foreign Affairs under the “Public Diplomacy 2024-2025” program, this initiative focuses on equipping academic communities with engaging and functional educational tools to address the growing challenge of misinformation in the digital age.
At the heart of the project is the Reality Check Indonesia platform (realitycheck.id), an interactive quiz-based website and app designed to make learning about disinformation simple, engaging, and personal. Developed with input from experienced Polish and Indonesian journalists and public speakers, the platform provides users with clear, actionable information while fostering awareness of manipulated content, fake news, and hate speech. To complement the platform, a series of debates and workshops are being held at leading Indonesian universities, such as the recent event at 17 August 1945 University (UTA 45) in Jakarta. These sessions tackle key topics like the spread of disinformation, media literacy, and strategies to counteract manipulation, engaging over 200 students across various disciplines.
The program also emphasizes active student involvement. Participants are invited to co-create content, including short films and interactive materials, aimed at deconstructing manipulation and misinformation. These creative outputs are promoted via social media and integrated into the Reality Check Indonesia platform, enhancing its relevance and accessibility. By involving students in content creation, the project not only builds awareness but also empowers young leaders to take a proactive role in combating disinformation.
In addition to promoting media literacy, the project encourages dialogue on the broader implications of disinformation for democracy and leadership. As noted by UTA 45 Rector J. Rajes Khana during a workshop, initiatives like Reality Check Indonesia address the pressing need for tools to counter misinformation in an era marked by leadership crises and widespread fake news. By fostering cross-cultural collaboration and leveraging innovative tools, Reality Check Indonesia contributes to a more informed, resilient, and democratic society.
