.jpg?ext=.jpg "Influencers Who Painted On Face Masks As Prank Will Be Jailed And Deported From Bali")
When you call yourself a social media ‘influencer’, you have to be responsible with the content that you post.
Even if your content is just a prank, you have to ensure that it does not hurt people’s sensitivities.
Two alleged influencers discovered this the hard way recently.
According to a report by Mashable SEA, influencers Josh Paler Lin and Leia Se decided to film a prank video where they attempted to wear a painted-on face mask in public.
In the video filmed by Lin, Se went to a supermarket in Bali without wearing a mask and was stopped by a security guard at the entrance.
The video then showed Lin painting on a blue surgical ‘mask’ on Se’s face, after which they entered the supermarket again.
This time around, they managed to get in, albeit drawing stares and puzzled looks from people around.
Not funny
The video angered netizens who called for the duo to be deported.
Later, the video was removed from the duo’s official social media pages, and their accounts suddenly went private.
On April 26, both social media accounts went public once more, and an apology video where Lin and Se appeared with their lawyers and other representatives was posted on Lin’s profile.
"The intention of this video was not at all to disrespect, or to invite anyone to not wear a mask.
"However, I didn't realize that what I did could actually bring a lot of negative comments from netizens, or that it could raise a lot of concerns. Once again, we want to apologize for what we did, and promise we will not do it again.
“I would like everyone in Indonesia and Bali to always wear masks for our own safety and health,” said Lin.
The appology came too late though.
According to the Jakarta Post, local authorities have decided to deport the two.
Jamaruli Manihuruk, who heads the Bali regional office for the Justice and Human Rights Ministry, said that Lin and Se will be deported as soon as possible.
"Foreigners who don't respect the laws and regulations in Indonesia are facing deportation sanctions," Manihuruk said. He said Lin and Se will be placed in a detention cell at the immigration office while waiting for their flight.
We hope this serves as a lesson to the rest.
Just because you're an influencer, it doesn't mean that you can get away with anything.