Fake news must have no place in modern society

Since ancient times, gossip has been frowned upon as it destroys the very fabric that holds a community together. Numerous verses in Proverbs emphasize the hostility and negativity that can arise from seemingly “harmless” gossip. Once gossip is spread, it becomes inevitable to contain or erase it, thereby tarnishing the reputation of innocent individuals.

In today’s world, where our communities are interconnected through the internet, gossip takes on a wilder, faster, and meaner form. The term “fake news” has become part of our lexicon, as misinformation and disinformation spread at the speed of light. The downside of this phenomenon is that a majority of netizens tend to believe what they see in online posts without verifying the details. The “share” button is easily pressed, leading to the dissemination of false information about something or someone for the world to see.

It is disheartening to witness innocent individuals whose reputations have been shattered by fake news, but it is even more alarming to see how fake news can destroy entire societies, demean a certain sector, or hinder national progress and development. As a political pundit has said, fake news is a fatal “cancer” that, if not addressed early, will infect and ravage the entire body.

To be fair, this administration is much aware of the detrimental nature of fake news and is committed to addressing it urgently and seriously. To underscore this commitment, the President made strong pronouncements to enact a Freedom of Information (FOI) Law, which, in his words, will “stem the tide of disinformation and misinformation online.”

The President expressed these views during the 14th International Conference of Information Commissioners (ICIC) held at PICC on June 19, 2023. In his keynote address, he lamented how the internet, despite its many benefits, has become a “breeding ground” for malicious information.

“While we can appreciate how the Internet has vastly improved the way we live and the way we conduct our businesses, it has, unfortunately, become a breeding ground for misinformation and disinformation,” he said. “Like everyone here, we, too, recognize as a matter of principle that fake news should have no place in modern society.”

With this in mind, the President assured that his administration is committed to institutionalizing access to information in all levels and domains of government, including the passage of an FOI Law.

“The Philippine Development Plan for 2023-2028 includes the commitment to localize our access to information mechanism while pursuing legislative initiatives to enact the FOI Law,” he said. “Our people can be assured of the continued implementation of the FOI program in the executive branch, through the Presidential Communications Office.”

It is worth noting that former president Rodrigo Duterte issued Executive Order No. 2 in 2016, establishing the country’s first FOI program. It required all government offices under the executive branch to disclose public records and any information requested by the public, except for matters affecting national security and other information that falls under the “inventory of exception” created by the executive secretary.

What is commendable about this move is that the administration is matching its words with action. In fact, the President ordered the concerned offices to undertake a “massive media and information literacy campaign, which shall be digital, multimedia, and youth-oriented.”

This is welcome news in an age where a deluge of information floods us on a 24/7 basis. It takes a village, or rather the whole world, to fight fake news. This government intervention, therefore, appears to be a good start.

Credit belongs to: www.mb.com.ph