CALAMBA CITY, Laguna (PIA) — The Philippine Information Agency (PIA) has urged the youth to use their influence in the fight against the proliferation of fake news on social media.
PIA Director-General Katherine De Castro, speaking at the West Philippine Sea Symposium held in Calamba City, Laguna, on March 19, stressed that the youth, who have a strong voice on social media, also bear a great responsibility to ensure that truth prevails.
“As Gat Jose Rizal once said, ‘The youth is the hope of the nation.’ You are the generation with access to the most information, and because of this, you also have the greatest responsibility to ensure that the truth prevails,” said De Castro.
She added that fake news is one of the most pressing issues that need to be addressed, as it affects not only public perception but also national security and democratic integrity.
Citing sources of fake news, De Castro explained that some foreign entities are actively using social media to spread false narratives and weaken the nation’s stance on key issues such as the West Philippine Sea. She warned that these deceptive tactics are designed to manipulate public discourse and create confusion among Filipinos.
De Castro stressed that fake news is being spread to divide public opinion, propagate misinformation, manipulate democracy, and, most importantly, attempt to control perspectives on the West Philippine Sea dispute.
The PIA chief also urged the more than 500 students and youth leaders present to be vigilant and take action against fake news by fact-checking information using verified sources, being responsible on social media by avoiding disinformation and refraining from sharing unverified content, and spreading the truth by speaking up and standing for what is right.
“This is not just about fake news, it is also a matter of freedom and sovereignty in the West Philippine Sea. The future of truth is in your hands. You are the next generation of journalists, leaders, and defenders of our nation,” she stressed.
In partnership with the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), National Youth Commission (NYC), and the City Government of Calamba, the PIA launched the West Philippine Sea Youth Symposium on Wednesday to strengthen youth awareness and commitment to the government’s efforts regarding the territorial dispute.
As part of the symposium, the PIA also introduced its Maging Mapanuri: Media and Information Literacy Campaign, discussed by PIA Laguna Information Center Coordinator Christopher Hedreyda.
Hedreyda highlighted how students and young individuals can harness their power to combat misinformation and disinformation across digital media platforms. (FC, PIA4A)
