HOUSE PURSUES FAKE NEWS PROBE
THE upcoming House Tri-Comm hearing this Tuesday is expected to further clarify the extent and impact of the growing problem of fake news and disinformation in the country.
This is according to House Assistant Majority Leader Jude Acidre of Tingog Party-list as he added that it is everyone’s responsibility to fight misinformation.
“Alam ko may pagdinig po sa April 8. Asahan ho natin na mas lalo pong lilinaw itong phenomenon ng fake news. Mas lalo pong lilinaw ang overall na konteksto kung bakit kailangan nating sugpuin itong disinformation,” Acidre, chairman of the House Committee on Overseas Workers Affairs, said.
Acidre stressed that combating disinformation is a shared obligation across all sectors of society.
“Tungkulin ho natin lahat, lalong-lalo na kasama na ho doon ang ating mga kaibigan sa media, na talagang patatagin natin, palakasin natin ang kabuuan ng ating lipunan sa pagsugpo,” Acidre added.
Acidre also expressed personal reservations about using the term “fake news,” saying the term should not be used to describe information that clearly lacks factual basis.
“Ayaw ko pong gamitin ang word na fake news. Kasi sa totoo lang, dapat ang news lang na ating ituturing ay yung news na galing sa solido at totoong mga sources,” Acidre said.
He argued that misleading or sensationalized content on social media cannot be classified as legitimate news.
“Hindi po natin pwedeng tawaging news itong mga sensationalism na ginagawa sa internet lalong lalo na sa social media,” he added.
Acidre emphasized the need to isolate and expose those who peddle misinformation.
“We need to isolate all these purveyors of fake news or disinformation or misinformation,” he said.
“We need to make sure that the people are aware kung ano talaga ‘pag sinabing hindi niya kayang panindigan ‘yung kanyang sinabi,” he added.
“Pag sinabing galing lang din sa TikTok ang kanyang source. ‘Pag sinabing opinyon lang niya at wala siyang pakialam kung ano ang consequences ng kanyang sinasabi, eh mag-isip-isip na ho tayo,” Acidre said.
He commended professional journalists for maintaining high standards of verification.
While Filipinos are entitled to their own opinions, Acidre emphasized that no one has the right to use personal views as a basis for lies or attacks against others.
He said that disinformation becomes especially dangerous when it begins to threaten public safety.
The House Tri-Comm has previously summoned digital content creators accused of spreading false or harmful content. Some of them failed to appear before the committee, prompting discussions on stronger legal mechanisms to ensure accountability.
