Counter Action Against Fake News: Ethical Challenges in Digital Da'wa

Abstract

In the digital era, where misinformation and AI-generated content spread rapidly through social media, Islamic digital da’wah in Indonesia faces serious challenges in maintaining communication ethics and accuracy. According to the 2023 Ipsos, 75% of Indonesian respondents believe that AI enables the creation of convincing fake content, and 63% admit they could be personally influenced by it. This study employs a quantitative approach by analyzing secondary data from the report to assess levels of trust, digital media consumption habits, and youth ability to distinguish between true and false information. The findings reveal a notable gap between individuals’ high self-confidence in filtering information and the persistent high exposure to disinformation. In a country with one of the world’s highest social media engagement rates, these results underscore the urgency of strengthening digital literacy and embedding Islamic communication values—such as tabayyun (verification) and amanah (trustworthiness)—as strategic foundations for ethical digital da’wah among the youth.