Philippine Information Agency Director-General Katherine Chloe S. De Castro urges youth to use their online platforms to promote truth and fight disinformation during the West Philippine Sea Youth Forum at PHINMA Cagayan de Oro College on April 29. De Castro emphasized the vital role of young Filipinos in strengthening media literacy and outlined key steps for verifying information. (Photo: ADD/PIA-10)
CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY — The chief of the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) has called on the youth to use their online presence to promote truth and strengthen media literacy in the digital age.
Speaking during the West Philippine Sea Youth Forum at PHINMA Cagayan de Oro College on April 29, Director-General Katherine Chloe S. De Castro said young people have a strong online presence and influence, making them key participants in efforts to counter misinformation.
“Ang mga kabataan ay may malaking papel sa pagtatanggol sa katotohanan. Ang mga kabataan ang may pinakamalakas na boses online kaya kailangan namin ang tulong ninyo para labanan ang fake news,” she said.
She also shared eight steps to verify information, including identifying the source, reading the full article, researching the author, looking for supporting evidence, verifying the publication date, ensuring the content isn’t satire, checking for bias, and consulting experts or trusted fact-checking organizations.
De Castro added that the PIA is working with the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) and the National Youth Commission (NYC) to expand fact-based communication efforts on WPS.
Quoting Presidential Communications Office Secretary Jay Ruiz, she said: “We urge Congress to strengthen our laws and content moderation standards. The voice of truth must always be louder than lies. Ibig sabihin dapat ang katotohanan ang laging nangingibabaw kaysa kasinungalingan.”
The youth forum, attended by over 600 students and youth leaders, was organized by the PIA, PCG, and NYC to raise awareness about the West Philippine Sea. (APB/PIA-10)
