Youth Urged to Combat Fake News on Social Media, Safeguard Truth Amidst West Philippine Sea Dispute
CALAMBA CITY, Laguna – The Philippine Information Agency (PIA) has issued a clarion call to the youth, urging them to leverage their significant online presence to combat the proliferation of fake news on social media platforms. This appeal comes amidst escalating tensions in the West Philippine Sea, where misinformation campaigns threaten to undermine national security and public understanding of the complex geopolitical landscape. Speaking at the West Philippine Sea Youth Symposium held in Calamba City, Laguna, PIA Director-General Katherine De Castro emphasized the pivotal role the youth play in safeguarding truth and democratic integrity in the digital age.
De Castro underscored the profound impact of fake news, highlighting its potential to erode trust in institutions, manipulate public opinion, and sow discord within society. She drew a parallel to the wisdom of national hero Jose Rizal, who famously declared, "The youth is the hope of the nation." De Castro emphasized that today’s youth, armed with unprecedented access to information, bear a correspondingly greater responsibility to discern truth from falsehood and champion factual accuracy. She warned that foreign entities are actively exploiting social media to disseminate false narratives aimed at weakening the Philippines’ position on crucial issues, particularly the West Philippine Sea dispute. These disinformation campaigns, she explained, are designed to confuse the public, manipulate perceptions, and ultimately destabilize the nation’s stance on its sovereign rights.
The Director-General detailed the insidious nature of these fake news campaigns, explaining how they are strategically crafted to divide public opinion, propagate misinformation, and undermine democratic processes. She stressed the urgency of addressing this issue, particularly in the context of the West Philippine Sea dispute, where manipulated narratives can have significant geopolitical ramifications. The symposium, held in partnership with the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), National Youth Commission (NYC), and the City Government of Calamba, aimed to equip young Filipinos with the critical thinking skills and media literacy necessary to navigate the complex digital landscape and identify misleading information.
Addressing an audience of over 500 students and youth leaders, De Castro implored them to be vigilant in identifying and countering fake news. She urged them to adopt a three-pronged approach: fact-checking information from reliable sources, practicing responsible social media behavior by refraining from sharing unverified content, and actively promoting truth by speaking out against misinformation. This, she stressed, is not merely a matter of online hygiene but a crucial defense of national sovereignty and democratic principles. The future of accurate information and informed public discourse rests in the hands of the youth, whom De Castro identified as the next generation of journalists, leaders, and defenders of the nation.
As part of the symposium, the PIA also launched its "Maging Mapanuri: Media and Information Literacy Campaign," presented by PIA Laguna Information Center Coordinator Christopher Hedreyda. The campaign aims to empower students and young individuals to become discerning consumers of information, enabling them to identify and combat misinformation and disinformation across various digital platforms. It emphasizes the crucial role of critical thinking, source verification, and responsible online sharing in safeguarding truth and upholding democratic values. The campaign’s focus on youth empowerment recognizes their pivotal role in shaping the online information landscape.
The symposium and the “Maging Mapanuri” campaign underscore the growing concern over the impact of fake news, particularly in the context of sensitive geopolitical issues like the West Philippine Sea dispute. The PIA’s emphasis on youth engagement highlights the importance of equipping future generations with the critical thinking skills necessary to navigate the increasingly complex digital world. By empowering the youth to become informed and responsible digital citizens, the PIA aims to strengthen the nation’s resilience against misinformation and safeguard its democratic values. This initiative emphasizes the critical link between media literacy, informed citizenry, and national security in the face of evolving information warfare tactics.