Political analyst and academician Dr. Antonio Contreras emphasized the growing impact of social media on shaping public opinion, cautioning that it’s unfiltered and often chaotic content can easily sway the thoughts and perspectives of users, especially during sensitive periods like elections.
In an interview during the special election coverage Hatol ng Bayan 2025, aired on state-run People’s Television (PTV), Contreras pointed out that the abundance of information—and misinformation—online has led to what he describes as overwhelming “noise” that increasingly affects how the public forms opinions on important national issues.
“Ngayon, ang ingay ng social media nakakaimpluwensya na sa opinyon ng tao,” he said, referring to the rapid and uncurated flow of content that floods digital platforms such as Facebook, TikTok, and X (formerly Twitter).
(Today, the noise of social media is influencing people’s opinions)
Contreras explained that while social media has democratized the flow of information and allowed more people to participate in discourse, it also poses challenges in terms of verifying facts and discerning credible sources. According to him, the lack of digital literacy among many Filipinos contributes to a situation where misinformation can easily be mistaken for truth, further polarizing public opinion.
He stressed the need for initiatives that promote media and information literacy, especially among young voters and frequent social media users.
“Dapat turuan ang mamamayan na mag determine kung ano yung ingay at ano yung totoo… Sa tingin ko marami tayong pag-aaralan dyan sa social media. But we should not control it kasi karapatan po yan ng mamamayan,” he explained.
(The public should be taught to determine what noise is and what is truth… I think we have a lot to learn from social media. But we should not control it because that is public’s right.)
Contreras clarified that while there are valid concerns about the spread of disinformation, the solution is not censorship or government control of digital spaces. Instead, he advocates for education and critical thinking as the primary tools to empower citizens to make informed judgments.
The remarks come at a time when government agencies, media organizations, and academic institutions are increasingly collaborating to combat fake news and improve civic awareness, especially in the lead-up to the 2025 National and Local Elections.
As the digital landscape continues to evolve, Contreras emphasized the urgent need for collective efforts in navigating the influence of social media in democratic processes—one that respects freedom while promoting responsibility. (JEG/PIA-NCR)
