SWS: 51% of adult Filipinos find difficulty in discerning fake news

At least 51% of adult Filipinos find it difficult to spot misinformation on social media, according to a Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey.

The SWS survey was conducted from December 12 to 16, 2021 with at least 1,440 respondents nationwide, according to Maki Pulido’s “24 Oras” report on Wednesday.

“Worrisome dahil sa atin, pag may nakita tayong balita at alam ko na sa sarili ko na isa ako sa mga nagsasabi na ako, sa totoo, hirap akong magspot kung ano ang peke o hindi, so ano ang tendency ng isang tao dyan? Paniniwalaan niya yung balitang ‘yon,” Leo Larozo, survey research specialist of SWS, said.

(It is worrisome because when we read news and I know in myself that I am one of those who are having a hard time discerning if this is fake or not, the tendency of a person there is to believe that news or information.)

In the same survey, individuals who said fake news on social media is becoming a big problem increased from 58% in 2017 to 67% in 2021.

Meanwhile, those who said that they have a problem spotting fake news in traditional media increased from 60% in 2017 to 69% in 2021.

Only around 8% of respondents got a perfect score in a fake news quiz conducted by the Ateneo Policy Center.

“Minsan po tsine-check ko po kung legit yung page [I always check if the page on social media is legitimate],” student Jessa Mae Datuin said.

“Sinisigurado ko po na yung pinagkukunan ko po ng balita ay reliable source at trusted [I make sure that my source of news is a reliable source and trusted],” said another student, Ryle Dominic Monreal.

The Vera Files Online Verification Team advised the public to check the particular website of the news agency to validate if the information is reliable. 

“Kapag hindi ka sigurado sa kung gaano katotoo yung impormasyon, I would suggest na huwag mo munang i-share para hindi ka makapag-misinform,” said team member Celine Samson.

(If you are not sure if the information is reliable, I would suggest that you do not share it first so that you do not misinform other people.)

Meanwhile, Senator Risa Hontiveros urged an investigation into troll farms and those who disseminate fake news online.

Hontiveros said she will support creating laws to apprehend those individuals behind these schemes. — Richa Noriega/BM, GMA News