During a media conference that welcomes broadcast journalist Julius Babao to TV5’s Frontline Pilipinas on February 2, he shared his thoughts on fake news and biased media.
Babao admitted that fighting fake news is increasingly challenging amid the election season.
“Medyo mahirap, it’s going to be hard, kasi napakalawak ng nare-reach ng mga Fake News sa social media, at ang hirap-hirap minsan talagang pantayan ‘yung pag-spread ng ganitong mga balita.”
He then noted that having programs such as Frontline Pilipinas helps battle disinformation.
“But as long as there’s TV5, there’s Frontline Pilipinas na willing talaga na gawin ang kanyang makakaya para matuwid ‘yung mga balita, napakalaking bagay ito para sa ating bayan.”
He also shared his thoughts on biased media personalities, noting that the burden to protect their credibility and integrity as news people remain with the mainstream media.
“Ang burden talaga niyan ay nasa atin, tayo ay nasa mainstream media so we have to make sure that we protect our credibility, our integrity para sa panahon na tayo ay nagsalita, hindi tayo magmumukhang mayroon tayong agenda, or mayroon tayong bias towards a certain person, a certain candidate lalo ngayon ngayon panahon ng eleksyon, kailangan maging maingat tayo sa mga information na nilalabas natin.”
He then advised viewers to research and avoid following ‘herd mentality.’
“It’s really to do your research. Wag tayong makontento lang sa mga sinasabi ng mga tao. Sinasabi lang ng mga kaibigan. Wag tayong magpadala doon sa herd mentality na porket ito ‘yung pananaw ng barkada mo, or kabarangay mo ay yun na ang paniniwalaan mo.
“What’s important right now is to do your research, watch mainstream news, at wag basta-basta magpapadala sa mga commentaries ng mga taong hindi naman talaga equipped with all the information para mag-spread ng tamang balita.”
Seasoned news anchor and journalist Babao will formally join TV5’s Frontline Pilipinas, starting February 7, every 5:30 PM, live on TV5 and via Livestream at News5 Facebook and YouTube pages.
