PCO, gov't agencies to sign accord to combat disinformation, misinformation

The Presidential Communications Office (PCO) on Saturday said it is partnering with other government agencies to launch a campaign combatting disinformation and misinformation.

In a statement, the PCO said it will be implementing the Marcos administration’s Media and Information Literacy (MIL) Campaign Project through a ceremonial signing of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with its partner agencies.

Partner-agencies include the Department of Education (DepEd), Commission on Higher Education (CHED), Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), and Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).

The MOU signing will be held on Monday, August 14, 2023, in Pasay City.

The PCO said the MIL is “the administration's response to the disinformation and misinformation plaguing the country’s digital landscape, focusing on capacitating the youth to become more discerning consumers of media.”

With the accord, the agencies will collaborate with the PCO on a comprehensive execution plan crafted to target the identified root causes of the issue.

The MIL will be integrated into the higher education curriculum, community-based trainings, and family-oriented programs, the PCO said.

The agency said social media companies and their platforms are also expected to collaborate with the government by lending the tools and training to fight disinformation and misinformation.

Among these are Google (YouTube), Meta (Facebook, Instagram, and Threads), TikTok and X (formerly Twitter). —Ted Cordero/KG, GMA Integrated News