Social Distance Into Factual Information Distance about COVID-19 in Indonesia Whatsapp Groups

Muhammad Taufiq Syam (Communication And Islamic Broadcasting Study Program, Faculty of Ushuluddin, Adab and Dakwah, State Islamic Institute Parepare Jl. Amal Bhakti No.8, Bukit Harapan, Kec. Soreang, Kota Pare-Pare, Sulawesi Selatan 91131, Indonesia)
Zulkifli Makmur (Dakwah Management Study Program of Islamic College Darul Dakwah Wal Irsyad Makassar Jl. Sultan Alauddin 3 No.8, Mangasa, Kec. Tamalate, Kota Makassar, Sulawesi Selatan 90221, Indonesia)
Askar Nur (English and Literature Department of Adab and Humanities Faculty, Alauddin State Islamic University Jl. Sultan Alauddin No.63, Romangpolong, Kec. Somba Opu, Kabupaten Gowa, Sulawesi Selatan 92113, Indonesia)

Jurnal Ilmu Komunikasi
Vol 18, No 3 (2020)

WhatsApp has become a forum for communication and information related to the COVID-19 pandemic, so there are messages that ignore the identification and validation of news facts. This creates an information gap on WhatsApp. This study aims to analyze the form of information gaps related to information on the COVID-19 pandemic in Indonesia shared by WhatsApp group users. This research uses quantitative research methods, with data collection techniques through documentation of text messages and pictures, as well as the results of a survey conducted on WhatsApp group users. The results of this research indicate that the information gap in reporting the COVID-19 pandemic occurs due to information gaps in the form of uncertainty, strong beliefs and opportunities to choose information and decisions to choose information values. The substance of this research contributes in the form of new policy recommendations in assessing information gaps in social media by validating the truth of the facts in each message received and shared to another users.