By 
Alyssa Almonte
Joshua Miranda, March 22, 2020
The Philippine government is ramping up its efforts to combat fake news online by holding hearings with social media influencers and bloggers, as well as charging individuals responsible for spreading misinformation.
With false information continuing to spread rapidly on social media platforms, the Philippine Congress has taken decisive action. The committees on Public Order and Safety, Information and Communications Technology, and Public Information, have subpoenaed several prominent social media influencers and bloggers to attend hearings on the proliferation of misinformation online.
The Congress committee members grilled these social media personalities due to their role in disseminating false content, including issues concerning the West Philippine Sea and the arrest of former President Rodrigo Duterte in the International Criminal Court. To date, four hearings have been conducted on this issue, and the social media personalities who had failed to attend the hearings have been cited in contempt and ordered arrested by Congress.
Recent surveys also indicate that the rise of fake news online has significantly eroded public trust in mainstream media, particularly as many Filipinos rely on the internet for their source of news and information. The government has raised concerns, calling the spread of fake news a crisis that must be addressed.
In a separate case, two individuals have been charged under the Revised Penal Code for unlawful use of publication and unlawful utterances in connection with the Cybercrime Prevention Act for spreading fake news.
In response to the growing issue, Meta, the parent company of Facebook, has expressed its support for efforts to cooperate with the Philippine government in regulating fake news, while still ensuring the protection of freedom of expression in the country.
Sources and Further Readings:
Fake news lowers trust in PH mainstream media
House orders arrest of 4 vloggers for probe snub
LIVESTREAM: House conducts fourth hearing on ‘fake news’
Tearful Philippine influencers grilled over Duterte ‘fake news’ admit errors, but change needed
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