As part of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s campaign against fake news, the Presidential Communications Office (PCO) has urged stronger regulation of social media platforms, revised content standards, and a nationwide media literacy campaign.
At a joint House hearing, PCO Secretary Jay Ruiz said digital platforms must be held accountable for the spread of false information.
“Una po, ang kailangan media and information literacy. Tapos ‘pag nasabihan na po sila na… pina-flag namin ito, fake news at galing ito sa isang government agency agad-agad dapat itake-down,” said Ruiz.
He criticized social media companies for slow responses to takedown requests, allowing harmful posts to go viral.
“Hindi pupwede na parang nagmamakaawa ka sa kanila na i-take down ‘yung post na alam naman ng lahat na fake news na. Bakit n’yo pinapabayaan na magviral pa ‘yan?” the official asked.
Ruiz also questioned the limits of fact-checking in today’s digital environment. “Kahit pinafact-check mo na, magkakaroon pa rin ng doubt ‘yung mga tao… Lunod na lunod ‘yung katotohanan. Ang pinaniniwalaan na ng tao, ‘yung fake news,” he added.
He called for clear government rules, similar to how TV and radio follow standards set by regulatory bodies like the Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster ng Pilipinas and the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board.
“If it’s just an opinion, if it’s not fake news, there’s no lie, it’s okay. But once it is proven it’s a lie, they have to be accountable for that.”IMT
