Sociological Analysis of Law Enforcement Spreading Hoaxes in Digital Space in the 2024 Simultaneous Elections

Abstract

The spread of hoaxes in the digital space is one of the phenomena that often occurs in Indonesia, including during general elections. The spread of hoaxes in digital space can have negative impacts, such as dividing society, reducing public trust in state institutions, and disrupting the democratic process. The purpose of this study is to analyze law enforcement against the spread of hoaxes in digital space in the 2024 simultaneous elections from the perspective of legal sociology. This research uses a qualitative research method with a case study approach. Data collection techniques are carried out by interviewing sources and conducting a literature review of written data from case handling results. The data that has been collected is then analyzed using three stages: data reduction, data presentation, and conclusion drawing. The results showed that law enforcement for the spread of hoaxes in digital space in the 2024 simultaneous elections is still not running optimally. This is because the spread is massive and even tends to be uncontrollable, making it difficult to find where it came from. This action has legal consequences, as stipulated in Law Number 11 of 2008, concerning Electronic Information and Transactions. In addition, law enforcement against the spread of hoaxes in the digital space in the 2024 simultaneous elections needs to be improved, including by strengthening laws and regulations governing the spread of hoaxes, increasing the availability of resources for law enforcement, increasing coordination between law enforcement agencies, and increasing public awareness about the dangers of hoaxes.