Philippine Media Trust Erodes Amidst Political Polarization and Disinformation Surge
Manila, Philippines – The Philippine media landscape is facing a crisis of confidence as public trust in individual news outlets dwindles. This decline coincides with a proliferation of online disinformation and harmful content, exacerbated by the escalating political tensions between President Marcos and Vice President Sara Duterte. The 2025 Reuters Digital News Report paints a concerning picture of a nation grappling with an "information disorder" fueled by political influencers and partisan media, where established news brands struggle to maintain credibility in the face of coordinated online attacks.
While overall trust in news remained relatively stagnant at 38 percent, a slight improvement from the previous year, the report reveals a significant erosion of trust in specific media organizations. This decline is attributed to the "fallout" between the country’s top leaders, which has provided fertile ground for the spread of disinformation and attacks targeting the media itself. The report highlights how outlets critical of the administration are often subjected to coordinated harassment and active distrust from supporters of the politicians in question. This polarized environment creates a challenging landscape for journalists seeking to provide accurate and unbiased reporting.
A survey conducted as part of the report, encompassing 15 prominent media brands, underscores this trend. While GMA Network retained its position as the most trusted brand with 67 percent, followed by the Philippine Daily Inquirer at 63 percent, these figures represent a notable drop from the previous year’s results. Similar declines are observed across other media outlets, including Manila Bulletin, Super Radyo dzBB, Philippine Star, TV5, and ABS-CBN. This widespread decline in trust suggests a growing skepticism towards the media, potentially influenced by the pervasive disinformation campaigns.
In response to this escalating crisis, Philippine newsrooms are taking proactive steps to combat disinformation and bolster media literacy. GMA Network spearheaded a multi-platform campaign against disinformation, collaborating with over 50 newsrooms, academic institutions, and the Commission on Elections (Comelec). Five more news organizations have earned accreditation from the International Fact-Checking Network, further reinforcing the commitment to verifying information and debunking false narratives. The Commission on Elections also played a crucial role in addressing election-related disinformation and the misuse of generative AI by political candidates.
The government has also initiated efforts to address the spread of disinformation. The House of Representatives conducted hearings to investigate the issue, summoning vloggers and social media personalities to account for their content. Law enforcement agencies have taken action against individuals spreading falsehoods online, including the arrest of a vlogger involved in creating and disseminating fake content about President Marcos. These actions reflect a growing awareness of the detrimental impact of disinformation and a commitment to holding those responsible accountable. Furthermore, the development of AI-powered tools, such as Rappler’s AI chatbot, Rai, and VERA Files’ fact-checking bot, VERA, signifies an innovative approach to tackling the challenges posed by disinformation in the digital age.
Despite the challenges faced by traditional media, the report indicates a plateau in the decline of TV and print as news sources. While social media remains the dominant platform for news consumption, with 66 percent of respondents relying on it, the usage of TV and print held steady at 46 percent and 13 percent, respectively. This stabilization suggests that traditional media still holds relevance in the Philippine media landscape, particularly amidst the heightened political polarization. However, the dominance of social media as a news source underscores the urgent need to address the spread of disinformation on these platforms. The report acknowledges the continuous decline in TV and print usage since 2020, indicating a long-term shift in news consumption habits towards online platforms.
The findings of the 2025 Reuters Digital News Report highlight the complex interplay of political dynamics, disinformation, and evolving media consumption habits in the Philippines. While individual news outlets face a decline in trust, the overall trust in news remains relatively stable. The report underscores the need for collaborative efforts between news organizations, government agencies, and technology platforms to combat disinformation, promote media literacy, and foster a more informed and resilient information ecosystem. The trends identified in the report call for continued efforts to strengthen journalistic integrity, enhance fact-checking initiatives, and empower citizens to critically evaluate information in the digital age.