ROXAS CITY, Capiz (PIA) — The Visayas leg of the training series entitled “Siguraduhing Totoo: A Vera Files Fact Checking and Online Verification Training” among state-run media outlets concluded last Feb. 21 in Tagbilaran City, Bohol.
The series of training through the collaboration of the Presidential Communications Office and Vera Files, an independent non-profit media organization, focused on equipping fact-checkers with the necessary skills to navigate complex information issues, fostering resilience against misinformation in the digital age.
Designated fact check officers from the Philippine Information Agency, People’s Television Network, Inc., Presidential Broadcast Service, Intercontinental Broadcasting Corporation, and Philippine News Agency attended the two-day training.
“Para sa amin, we want to tap the network of the PCO kasi ang laki-laki ng network ng PCO. Ang sabi namin mas marami tayong nagtutulungan sa paglaban sa kasinungalingan, mas mataas ang tsansa na matatalo natin itong all these lies na going around na nakakasama sa pang-araw-araw natin na buhay at sa demokrasya natin,” said Vera Files president Ellen Tordesillas.
(We want to tap into the large network of the PCO because the more we work together in the fight against information disorder, the higher the chance we will defeat all these lies that are going around that harm our daily lives and our democracy.)
She added that former PCO Sec. Cesar Chavez requested Vera Files last year to train the state-media practitioners.
Tordesillas noted that Vera Files, a signatory to the International Fact-Checking Network, did not receive any monetary compensation for conducting the training sessions.
The Luzon leg of the training was conducted last Feb. 13 and 14, while the Mindanao group of fact checkers was on February 27 to 28.
In a video message, PCO Senior Usec. for Digital Media Service Emerald Ridao conveyed her appreciation and gratitude to Vera Files for sharing its best practices among state media practitioners.
The PCO and Vera Files partnership marks a significant step in strengthening a transparent and independent fact-checking mechanism within state media. It also aligns with the government’s ongoing “Maging Mapanuri” campaign to promote media literacy and combat misinformation. (AGP/AAL/PIA Capiz)
