On Friday (08/30/2024), 4 (four) active undergraduate students from the Faculty of Law UGM who received a Legal Counseling Grant, a program organized by the UGM Law Faculty’s Legal Aid and Consultation Center (Pusat Konsultasi Bantuan Hukum - “PKBH”), conducted a legal counseling session at SMAN 8 Yogyakarta. Led by Edgard Samuel, with Aprillita Putri, Dwi Putri Respatiningrum, and Nugra Okto as members, they conducted the session in XI F 7 class of SMAN 8 Yogyakarta with 36 students in attendance. The focus of the counseling session was the limitations of free speech and ways to prevent cyberbullying
The 3 (three) primary objectives of the counseling session were to enhance understanding of the Electronic Information and Transactions Law (UU ITE), prevent cyberbullying and hate speech, and raise awareness of the legal protections and consequences associated with the limitations of free speech, particularly on social media.
The four students took turns presenting the material, using slides to facilitate the delivery of the counseling session to the participants. The first presenter, Edgard Samuel, introduced the topic by emphasizing how media, particularly social media, has become an integral part of modern life, especially for adolescents and young adults. However, while social media offers numerous benefits for social interaction, it can also be misused for negative purposes such as cyberbullying, which involves the use of digital technology to harass, intimidate, or threaten others. This often occurs due to the misconception that freedom of speech is absolute and without limitations, leading to the abuse of this right for purposes such as insults and threats.
The second presenter, Aprillita Putri, then discussed the legal regulations governing cyberbullying in Indonesia. Cyberbullying is regulated under Article 27 paragraph (3) of Law Number 11 of 2008 concerning Information and Electronic Transactions (the ITE Law), as amended by Law Number 19 of 2016. Such acts can be subject to criminal penalties as stipulated in Article 45 paragraph (3) of the ITE Law.
The third presenter, Nugra Okto, then presented a case study related to cyberbullying. One such case that fulfilled the criteria of Article 27 paragraph (3) of the ITE Law involved a dispute between a resident and a caretaker at D'Paragon boarding house. The case arose when a resident expressed their dissatisfaction with the caretaker on social media using harsh and insulting language. As a result, the resident was sentenced to four months imprisonment and a fine of IDR1.000.000 (one million rupiah). This case highlights the importance of understanding that actions on social media have legal consequences, particularly for young people. Despite the prevalence of anonymous accounts or second accounts, perpetrators of cyberbullying can still be traced, such as through their IP address. Therefore, it is essential to educate young people about the ethics of expressing opinions on social media and the relevant laws to prevent the misuse of freedom of speech.
Finally, the last presenter, Dwi Putri Respatiningrum, discussed preventive measures and handling procedures, including reporting cyberbullying. If the society encounter a case of cyberbullying, they can report it to the relevant authorities, such as the Ministry of Communications and Informatics (Kominfo) or the police, through various established channels, both online and offline.
Throughout the counseling session, participants were given the opportunity to ask questions if they needed further clarification. The high level of enthusiasm among participants was evident in the numerous interactions during the question-and-answer session. After the presentation and Q&A, participants completed an online quiz consisting of 10 questions prepared by the presenters. The quiz aimed to reinforce the material and add a fun element to the session. The top three participants in the quiz received appreciation prizes from the presenters. The event concluded with a group photo.
This legal counseling activity is an endeavor to enhance the quality of education, aligning with the 4th Sustainable Development Goal (SDG). This is achieved through the dissemination of legal knowledge, aiming to improve public understanding of legal norms, particularly those related to daily activities such as social media interactions. Furthermore, the counseling on prohibiting hate speech and cyberbullying, which can contribute to social division, is in line with the 16th SDG of promoting peaceful and inclusive societies.
Authors: Edgard Samuel, Aprillita Putri, Dwi Putri Respatiningrum, Nugra Okto (Student Recipient of the Student Legal Counseling Grant)
Editor: PR
