BACOLOD CITY (PIA) — Philippine Information Agency (PIA) Director General Katherine Chloe S. De Castro called on the Filipino youth to take part in the fight against false information.
Acknowledging the youth’s strong and active presence on social media, De Castro sought the support and cooperation of the youth in not only combating false information but, most importantly, correcting inaccurate and misleading information.
Amid this crisis, the PIA chief expressed her concern over the struggle of many Filipinos in distinguishing false from truthful information, pointing out recent data from the Social Weather Station (SWS).
“Ito ay nakakabahala dahil ang impormasyon ang humuhubog sa ating desisyon sa araw-araw. Kung ang impormasyon ay mali o mapanlinlang, maaari itong magdulot ng hindi pagkakaunawaan at pagkasira ng tiwala sa ating mga institusyon at pati na rin sa gobyerno,” she pointed out.
(This is alarming since information helps us make our everyday decisions. If information is false or deceiving, it may lead to misunderstanding and distrust of our institutions and the government.)
De Castro especially cited the West Philippine Sea (WPS) as a target of false and misleading information online.
“Sa usapin ng West Philippine Sea (WPS), may mga grupong gumagamit ng fake news upang lituhin ang publiko at pahinain ang ating paninindigan. Kaya hindi tayo dapat basta-basta maniniwala sa lahat ng ating mga nababasa o nakikita lalo na po sa social media,” she said during symposium held at the University of Antique (UA).
(On the West Philippine Sea issue, there are groups that use fake news to confuse the public and weaken our stand. This is why we must not immediately believe all information we read or see, especially on social media.)
Not to fall victim to false or misleading information, De Castro emphasized the importance of evaluating the data source, or where the information comes from, and reading the entire news story and not just the headline.
She added that, in fact-checking, determining the authors and validating whether they are legitimate journalists or experts in the field are crucial, since transparency about ownership is a sign of credibility.
Verifying information from other sources, such as established news organizations, relevant government agencies, academic institutions, and professionals in the field, is also necessary.
Most importantly, the PIA chief urged the youth to be critical of their personal opinions and keep their biases in check when consuming information and news.
Alongside Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea, Commodore Jay Tristan Tarriela, and National Youth Commission (NYC) Commissioner-at-Large Assistant Secretary Karl Legazpi, De Castro said the fight against false information continues, especially on matters of public interest and national security, such as the West Philippine Sea (WPS) where the support of the youth is needed now more than ever.
“Ang laban kontra fake news ay laban nating lahat. Kayo ang magiging susunod na lider at tagapagtanggol sa bayan. Huwag nating hayaang ang kasinungalingan ang manaig. Maging matalino. Maging matapang. Ipaglaban ang katotohanan! Ating tandaan — sa West Philippine Sea, ang yaman nito ay para sa Pilipino!”
De Castro, Tarriela, and Legazpi are going to different universities all over the country for a series of West Philippine Sea (WPS) symposia, intended to engage with the youth in asserting the nation’s sovereign rights over the West Philippine Sea.
First of their engagements in Visayas was at the University of Antique (UA) in Antique on April 3, followed by John B. Lacson Foundation Maritime University (JBLFMU) in Iloilo City on April 4. (AGP/BPS/PIA Negros Occidental)
