Combating Fake News: The Truth in Action

Did you know that you can train your eyes and mind to spot fake news? As digital technology booms, the web serves as a host for an endless supply of information.

How do you spot fake news?
Investigate before you share – let it be your motto when browsing through social media. Here are a few ways to pick out false stories from the web:

• Trust your gut – If a post makes you think twice or is already questionable at first glance, it might be a sign to double-check if it’s legitimate.
• Consider the source – Check if the origin of the story is a credible news source or a satire page. Satire pages often use public figures or news channels to poke fun at real-life events. The pages often design their posts so similar to the original source that they can be easily mistaken as trustworthy.
• Check the date of the material – Netizens often share news without checking the year – leading to more misinformation spreading across social media.
• Read beyond the headline – Titles often mislead, so make sure to check if the content of the article or post matches the headline.

When in doubt, a quick web search is your best friend to verify news online.
Combined with the ease of internet browsing, many users can be exposed to false stories. Studies show that 68% of Filipino netizens encounter misinformation on social media.

Baseless rumors against vaccines, for example, have spread all over social media. False claims such as  vaccines turning one into a zombie or causing infertility have gone viral. It has led to low rates of vaccine acceptance around the globe, posing as a hindrance in achieving herd immunity. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), herd immunity is the indirect protection of the population from an infectious disease through vaccination.

This is why it is important to know the difference between true stories and false ones. To stay vigilant and be informed about the characteristics, dangers, and agenda behind fake news, read below:

The Anatomy of Fake News
Over the past year, the spread of fake news across the web has been rampant. During the PANAF (Philippine Association of National Advertisers Foundation) Youth Creativity Festival webinar, several esteemed media practitioners joined the forum Truth in Action: Stop the Spread of Fake News.

#TruthInAction is an advocacy launched by Globe to further promote a safer digital space for netizens. Being a telecommunications giant, the company takes on the responsibility of educating the citizenry about the know-hows of fake news. The campaign calls for vigilance against the spread of false stories online:

The panel discussion covered the nature of false information. According to Art Samaniego, ICT Head of Manila Bulletin, fake news is “news stories that are false: the story itself is fabricated, with no verifiable facts, sources, or quotes.” He also shared that it is made to deliberately misinform, push agenda, and force the public to ask questions.

Filipinos depend on social media for most information and news. This kind of reliance might be dangerous for netizens. For example, there was a rumor about garlic helping prevent virus infection, which was proven to be untrue. Netizens consuming fake news like this might share it without double-checking – leading to more people being misinformed.

The Popularity of Fake News
The ease of sharing information on the web has prompted the sudden rise in fake news, begging the question --- why does it persist? “It [fake news] spreads fast and wide because we have the tools in our hands - with our smartphones” according to Juliet Javellana, Philippine Daily Inquirer Associate Publisher, on the notoriety of fake news.

Fake news does not only cover stories like celebrity pregnancies, but also health care. A study shows that health misinformation highly prevails in different social media platforms like Twitter. “Tips” for avoiding virus infection like drinking disinfectant, putting hot peppers in your food, and even exposing yourself to extremely hot weather was rampant at some point. Trusting a false story related to medical issues like these can endanger one’s health.

What can you do?
As responsible citizens, fact-checking should be a necessary habit to protect yourself and others. Before you click, share, or send to a friend, check reliable sites to verify the information. Camille Diola, editor-in-chief for Philstar.com, advised the audience to remember that they must “question the source of information and then verify for ourselves before we share it.”

As Art Samaniego shared during the forum, “informed users are the first line of defense against false information.” You can practice safe dissemination of information on the net with these simple habits: Do quick research by checking the date of publishing and the legitimacy of a social post you see. Remember, materials on the net can be easily manipulated. Fact-checking sites are also your friend in verifying information you saw on social media. You can visit FactCheck.org or Snopes.com for your fact-checking needs. Samaniego also shared this tip when verifying news: “Stop, think, verify, and be fully informed before doing your next steps.”

Due to the ongoing pandemic, the youth of today are glued to their gadgets almost 24/7. As it is essential to continue their learning, this dependence also invites certain online dangers. Companies like Globe are doing their share to promote a safer cyberspace. In 2016, the telecommunications company started the Digital Thumbprint Program (DTP) that seeks to heighten awareness on digital citizenship and cybersafety.  As part of Globe’s commitment to the Sustainable Development Goals: SDG 4 Quality Education, SDG 17 Partnerships for the Goals, this initiative has also transitioned into self-learning materials online, aiming to influence more users to become responsible digital citizens. Watch DTP’s eModule on Fake News here.