
WAR ON FAKE NEWS
THE House of Representatives is scheduled to launch a full-blown investigation into the rampant spread of fake news and disinformation.
With the newly-formed Tri Committee, people behind the massive disinformation machinery as well as its impact on Filipino society will be exposed.
The joint panel, composed of the House Committees on Public Order, on Public Information and on Information and Communications Technology (ICT), will hold its first executive briefing this Monday with Sta. Rosa Rep. Dan Fernandez presiding.
Fernandez underscored the urgency of addressing disinformation, emphasizing its detrimental effects on national unity, public order and democratic processes.
“Ang mga Pilipino ay may karapatan sa katotohanan. Dapat protektahan natin ang ating mga kababayan laban sa mga maling impormasyong nagdudulot ng takot, kalituhan at pagkakawatak-watak ng ating lipunan,” Fernandez said.
The briefing will bring together representatives from major social media platforms to shed light on their policies and accountability measures in combating fake news, cyberbullying and harmful content.
The lawmakers aim to scrutinize the effectiveness of these platforms in curbing disinformation and to identify legislative gaps that need to be addressed.
Fernandez stressed that those who spread lies and manipulate information for personal or political gain will be held accountable.
“Hindi natin hahayaang magpatuloy ang sistemang ito kung saan nalilinlang ang ating mga kababayan. Panahon na upang malaman natin ang mga nagpapakalat ng kasinungalingan para sa pansariling interes,” he said.
Among the key issues to be tackled in the briefing are the transparency of social media platforms in identifying and removing false information, the enforcement of accountability measures against repeat offenders such as irresponsible vloggers and influencers and the broader impact of disinformation on national security, particularly in relation to the West Philippine Sea dispute.
The House inquiry will also focus on the dangers fake news poses to ordinary Filipinos, especially the youth and marginalized sectors who are most vulnerable to cyberbullying and online harassment.