House starts probe on fake news

THE House of Representatives starts today, Jan. 27, its investigation on fake news. The joint panel composed of the Committee on Public Order and Safety, the Committee on Public Information, and the Committee on Information and Communications Technology will conduct its first executive briefing. "Filipinos have a right to the truth. We should protect our countrymen against false information that brings fear, confusion and disunity in our society," Sta. Rosa Rep. Dan Fernandez, who will preside over the briefing, said in Filipino. Fernandez is the chairman of the Committee on Public Order and Safety. The briefing would gather representatives of social media platforms for information on their policies and measures against fake news as well as cyberbullying and harmful content. "House lawmakers aim to scrutinize the effectiveness of these platforms in curbing disinformation and to identify legislative gaps that need to be addressed," according to a statement from the House. The briefing would tackle social media platforms' transparency in identifying and removing false information, enforcement of accountability measures against repeat offenders, and disinformation's impact on national security, particularly in connection with the West Philippine Sea issue. The inquiry would also take up the dangers posed by fake news to Filipinos. "Lawmakers are expected to push for stronger policies that will ensure social media platforms implement stricter safeguards and penalties against violators," it said. Fernandez asked the public to be vigilant and to remain critical of information that they consume online. He said fake news "is a poison that damages our democracy. We will not stop until those behind it are held accountable and it is ensured that our countrymen have the right protection."