Poll body taps TikTok to fight fake news
(UPDATE) THE Commission on Elections (Comelec) and social media platform TikTok Philippines on Tuesday signed a memorandum of agreement to fight political misinformation, disinformation and fake news to preserve the integrity and transparency of the May 12 elections. Comelec Chairman George Erwin Garcia said the partnership would help dispel misinformation and disinformation since TikTok was the top platform being used by politicians and candidates. He admitted that Comelec does not have the human and financial resources to do what TikTok could do, adding they would seek similar deals with other social platforms. "Comelec can't do it. We need all the help we can get. There is no law on social media. How do we regulate it? How do we police it?" Garcia said. TikTok, the poll chief pointed out, has the enforcement tool to facilitate reporting of social media content violating election laws during the campaign season. "Partnership with TikTok is definitely good news, especially in our fight against disinformation and fake news. The fight now is not in the regular campaign; it will be in the social media campaign," he added. Garcia said they would conduct information and dissemination campaigns, particularly among candidates, on the proper use of TikTok, during the campaign period and would create a podcast on what to do during the elections. He said they were looking at a proposal to assume that endorsers or influencers who speak on behalf of a candidate were being paid, and as such, the candidate would be required to report such spending in his or her statement of contribution and expenditures (SOCE). Under the law, all candidates must submit their SOCE within 30 days from election day. Aside from the Comelec, TikTok is also partnering with the National Movement for Free Elections (Namfrel) and the Legal Network for Truthful Elections (Lente) for its elections advocacy. Speaking to The Manila Times during the launch in Taguig City on Tuesday, TikTok Philippines public policy manager Peachy Paderna said the partnership with Comelec, Namfrel and Lente would allow the social media application to engage their 49 million users in the Philippines with the right information on electoral matters. She also assured the public that TikTok would never be a "breeding ground" for misinformation during the campaign period. "We have robust policies around misinformation. We do not allow misinformation that is harmful and that could disrupt the electoral processes in the Philippines. We work closely with the Comelec in making sure that information about the elections is accurate," Paderna said. Paderna said TikTok has more than 21 partner fast checkers that monitor the authenticity of video and other posts on their platform. She added that they would also come out with guidelines on what content is allowed and not allowed on the TikTok platform. The social media platform also encouraged users to report content creators violating its community guidelines, adding that it would impose sanctions depending on the severity of the violation.
Tomas Kauer - Moderator 
(UPDATE) THE Commission on Elections (Comelec) and social media platform TikTok Philippines on Tuesday signed a memorandum of agreement to fight political misinformation, disinformation and fake news to preserve the integrity and transparency of the May 12 elections.
Comelec Chairman George Erwin Garcia said the partnership would help dispel misinformation and disinformation since TikTok was the top platform being used by politicians and candidates.
He admitted that Comelec does not have the human and financial resources to do what TikTok could do, adding they would seek similar deals with other social platforms.
"Comelec can't do it. We need all the help we can get. There is no law on social media. How do we regulate it? How do we police it?" Garcia said.
TikTok, the poll chief pointed out, has the enforcement tool to facilitate reporting of social media content violating election laws during the campaign season.
"Partnership with TikTok is definitely good news, especially in our fight against disinformation and fake news. The fight now is not in the regular campaign; it will be in the social media campaign," he added.
Garcia said they would conduct information and dissemination campaigns, particularly among candidates, on the proper use of TikTok, during the campaign period and would create a podcast on what to do during the elections.
He said they were looking at a proposal to assume that endorsers or influencers who speak on behalf of a candidate were being paid, and as such, the candidate would be required to report such spending in his or her statement of contribution and expenditures (SOCE).
Under the law, all candidates must submit their SOCE within 30 days from election day.
Aside from the Comelec, TikTok is also partnering with the National Movement for Free Elections (Namfrel) and the Legal Network for Truthful Elections (Lente) for its elections advocacy.
Speaking to The Manila Times during the launch in Taguig City on Tuesday, TikTok Philippines public policy manager Peachy Paderna said the partnership with Comelec, Namfrel and Lente would allow the social media application to engage their 49 million users in the Philippines with the right information on electoral matters.
She also assured the public that TikTok would never be a "breeding ground" for misinformation during the campaign period.
"We have robust policies around misinformation. We do not allow misinformation that is harmful and that could disrupt the electoral processes in the Philippines. We work closely with the Comelec in making sure that information about the elections is accurate," Paderna said.
Paderna said TikTok has more than 21 partner fast checkers that monitor the authenticity of video and other posts on their platform.
She added that they would also come out with guidelines on what content is allowed and not allowed on the TikTok platform.
The social media platform also encouraged users to report content creators violating its community guidelines, adding that it would impose sanctions depending on the severity of the violation.
