Because of the liberal proliferation of fake news online, several actors and singers have come together to persuade Filipino netizens to be more aware, careful, and responsible especially in sharing and spreading information online that could create misconception and confusion among other individuals.
Gary Valenciano, Alyssa Quijano, Anna Fegi, Carla Guevarra-Laforteza, Donita Rose, Guji Lorenzana, Jay Gonzaga, Jeffrey Hidalgo, Jona, Leo Martinez, Lesley Martinez, and Miriam Quiambao-Roberto are some of the celebrities who took the initiative to launch a campaign to stop the spread of fake news in the country through a short video on YouTube.
They believe that the country needs only facts especially at this time of pandemic when spreading verified and true information regarding the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) is of paramount significance.
In the video, the celebrities aforementioned above advise the people to do the following:
- Verify the source of information that you receive or read.
- Ask. Does it come from a legitimate organization or a medical expert?
- Check. Is the information being carried by legitimate news organizations?
- If it’s not verified, don’t be trigger-happy. Do not forward the message.
- Be responsible, be helpful.
- Stop spreading fake news.
Throughout the video, the celebrities encourage every netizen to be an instrument of truth and calmness by disengaging one’s self in the growing confusion brought by fake news spreaders about the coronavirus disease; following the government’s expanded community quarantine orders; and being “safe, not only for you but also for your family.”
“Be an instrument of calmness and truth. That’s what we all need at this time,” was. Gary V’s closing line.
For years, the Philippines has reigned as the “social media capital of the world” with users spending an average of nine hours interacting on social media platforms daily according to the global social media expert Hootsuite.
For this reason, many netizens are vulnerable to misinformation and fake news being posted on the internet. As a result of the falsity of the information, Filipinos are divided instead of becoming united in fighting against the pandemic.
The problem is, even the government becomes victims of fake news.
Just a few days ago, Albay 2nd District Representative Cong. Joey Salceda and Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. trended on social media after sharing “fake” footage of people crowding in the Divisoria night market.
After learning about the said video, Manila Mayor Isko Moreno clarified that the video was not a representation of the current state of the market as the video was taken long before the Luzon-wide lockdown.
Salceda and Locsin, who were both castigated by netizens for their irresponsibility, apologized to the public and claimed that the footage they posted on their respective social media accounts were “fake” and should be disregarded.
According to Republic Act No. 11469 or the Bayanihan to Heal As One Act, any acts of spreading false or alarming information regarding the COVID-19 outbreak are subject to two months imprisonment and/or a fine of up to P1 million.
It states, “Individuals or groups creating, perpetuating, or spreading false information regarding the COVID-19 crisis on social media and other platforms, such information having no valid or beneficial effect on the population, and are clearly geared to promote chaos, panic, anarchy, fear, or confusion” will be charged with violating the said law.
