Amid the escalating tensions between government leaders, a network of digital advocates called on to social media platforms should take stronger and more proactive measures in combating disinformation and fake news.
Digital Pinoys national campaigner Ronald Gustilo said that the proliferation of misleading narratives and false claims not only endangers public discourse but also threatens to deepen divisions in our society.
“The proliferation of false information and fake news on social media platforms is alarming and should be addressed immediately by social media platforms. They should not allow fake news peddlers and misinformation operatives to use their platforms to spread lies and sow disunity.”
Gustilo said that social media platforms can take various steps to ensure that their network should be rid of false news and misinformation.
“Social media platforms should enhance fact-checking mechanisms. They have already done it during the 2022 Presidential elections and they can do it again. Platforms should also be transparent by disclosing the criteria and processes used to determine the content flagged as disinformation to foster public trust. They should also deplatform accounts found to be spreading false information and on social media platforms.”
Gustilo also urged social media users to be more critical of what they are seeing in social media platforms.
“The public should really understand the importance of fact checking because not everything you see on the internet is true and correct. Some may be taken out of context by splicing portions of on a long statement or interview, some may deliberately spread wrong information and false news and some may even create fake photos and videos to malign individuals involved in the ongoing Intramurals between government leaders. Now more than ever, the public needs to make a stand against false news and misinformation.”
