Senators alarmed over recent survey results on fake news

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 "Let the people know the facts, and the country will be safe"- Abraham Lincoln.

fake news - Bing images


Fake news has been used to influence politics and promote advertising. It is defined as news articles that are intentionally and verifiably false in order to manipulate people's perceptions of reality. However, it has also become a tool for inciting and intensifying social conflict. Untrue stories that intentionally mislead readers have increased mistrust among the people. In some cases, mistrust leads to incivility, protest over fictitious events and even violence.

False information has been around for a long time, but with the rise of the internet and social media, it is becoming increasingly difficult to determine what can and cannot be trusted. In recent years, particularly during pandemics, traditional media viewership has declined, and people have shifted to more convenient and less expensive alternative news sources which is the social media. 


We are all aware that digital media enables social media to be a free platform for entertainment, knowledge or information, news, and, on the negative side of reality, fake news. The freedom of posting and sharing various information on social media platforms has made determining the fake news industry extremely difficult. This is most common in the Philippines, which is known as the world's social media capital. It's no surprise that Senators Nancy Binay and Jinggoy Estrada saw the need to combat fake news in the country and held those responsible accountable.

fake news - Bing images


Senators Nancy Binay and Jinggoy Estrada emphasized the necessity of intensifying the fight against the spread of false information. This was due to a recent Pulse Asia survey that revealed 90% of Filipinos, or the population, recognize fake news as a problem in their nation. Estrada referred to the survey's findings as "disturbing," adding that false and misleading information must be taken seriously. Barcelonia, W. (2022, October 12). Senators alarmed over recent survey results on fake news. Philippines News Agency. https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1185967

Senators Nancy Binay and Jinggoy Estrada fake news - Bing images


Estrada also stated that it is not right to simply allow irresponsible news and information to spread because it will lead to incorrect decisions and opinions among our people. 

These bad decisions may have an impact on the public interest, safety, order, and people's lives. And bad decisions based on false information that circulates the internet cost money and unnecessary waste of precious natural, financial, and time resources, as well as, most importantly, human life," he added. (Barcelona, W. 2022)

philippines social media capital - Bing images


While the Philippines is said to be the world's social media capital, it has become very difficult for us to gather the right and accurate evidence, or to determine what is factual and reliable in terms of news and information that we see on the internet, where we frequently get scammed, and stirs up different opinions and beliefs that cause minor to major problems in our society.

Victims included not only ordinary citizens, but also politicians, artists, influential people, and/or household names and companies throughout the country, if not the world.

"Media, academe, historians, and even those in the private and public sectors are often victims of fake news. Kaya (That's why) we need people or even non-government watchdogs who can refute fake news publicly," Binay said. (Barcelona, W. 2022).

                                   

                                                philippines fake news - Bing images

Estrada hopes that by criminalizing fake news as a cybercrime, he will be able to halt the spread of disinformation and misinformation on the internet. Senate Bill No. 1296, which seeks to hold fake news enablers accountable to the law, is one of Estrada's bills.

Senate Bill No. 1296 seeks to make the creation and dissemination of "fake news" a crime punishable by law under the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012. (SJE Team, 2022).

On the contrary, Binay believes that legislation is unnecessary to address the issue of fake news proliferation because the Constitution guarantees free speech. Binay believes that credible sources should instead refute fake news on social media and establish their accuracy and profanity as journalists in being truthful so that the audience knows who to trust.

jinggoy estrada over fake news - Bing images



Although both senators' statements and ideas were very helpful and make undeniable sense in addressing the issue, we citizens, as responsible and knowledgeable internet users, should also be able to distinguish between fake news and reliable news. Furthermore, we must be accountable for what we share, believe, comment on, and create. As true as it is that media is a free platform, a personal space, and a tool that enacts freedom of emotion and speech, it is also important for us to understand things more deeply and comment wisely.


After all, we have all been given the ability to be journalists as a result of the power of digital media, but only a few will understand the true value and meaning of being a JOURNALIST.


"Fake news is cheap to produce. Genuine journalism is expensive"- Toomas Hendrick IIves.


References:

CITS. (n.d). The Danger of Fake News in Inflaming or Suppressing Social Conflict. https://www.cits.ucsb.edu/fake-news/danger-social

Team SJE. (2022, September 22). Senate bill wants to make spreading fake news a crime. JINGGOY ESTRADA. https://jinggoyestrada.ph/2022/09/22/senate-bill-wants-to-make-spreading-fake-news-a-crime/#:~:text=Under%20Senate%20Bill%20No.%201296%2C%20Estrada%20defines%20fake,of%20distorting%20the%20truth%20and%20misleading%20its%20audience.%E2%80%9D





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