GMA Network, partners ink covenant vs fake news, disinformation

Major Philippine media organizations, social media platforms, and academic institutions on Friday signed a pledge and affirmed their commitment to fighting fake news and disinformation.

Nearly 60 partners signed the covenant in an event spearheaded by GMA Network.

In his opening remarks, GMA Network Chairman Atty. Felipe L. Gozon pointed out the importance of promoting the truth in nation building. 

“Fake news is both dangerous and harmful but the truth is glorious and useful. It fosters an informed populace, essential for functioning democracy and stronger society,” Gozon said. 

“With it, we lay the groundwork for transformative projects that enhance the lives of every Filipino,” he added.

A September 2022 survey by Pulse Asia showed that 9 of 10 Filipinos believe "fake news" is a problem in the Philippines.

Meanwhile, a Social Weather Stations survey on the first quarter of 2021 showed that 67% of respondents believe fake news is a serious problem on the internet. The same survey said 51% of respondents believe fake news is very or somewhat difficult to spot.

Citing these results, Gozon said GMA Network decided to expand its mission.

“Because of the increasing and wide proliferation of fake news including the so-called deepfakes in all media platforms, we thought of organizing a group composed of those who can directly and indirectly help to fight fake news,” he said.

“And we believe that it is now timely to do this with the coming midterm elections in May 2025,” he added.

Commission on Elections (Comelec) Chairman George Garcia said the initiative of GMA Network is a big help for voters to choose the right candidates in the coming polls.

“Sobrang laking tulong sapagkat alam niyo kapag kampanya kailangan talaga makatotohanan lang. Totoong kandidato, totoong pangako, at totoong paggastos,” he said.

(It's a big help because you know during election campaigns you really need the truth. Real candidate, real promise, and real spending.)

“Dapat laging totoo. Kasi kapag pumasok ang fake na kandidato, fake na paggastos, at fake na pangako ay mage-elect tayo ng mga fake na leader ng ating bansa,” he added.

(It must always be truthful. Because when there are fake candidates, fake spending, and fake promises, we will elect fake leaders in our country.)

Representatives from television networks All TV and Zoe Broadcasting Network attended the event.

For broadsheets and online news sites, among the partners were the Philippine Daily Inquirer, Manila Bulletin, Manila Times, Manila Standard, Daily Tribune, Malaya Business Insight, Philippine Business Daily Mirror, Philippine Entertainment Portal (PEP), Rappler, PressONE.PH, and Sunstar.

For radio, MBC Media Group, Quest Broadcasting Inc. (Magic 89.9), and Far East Broadcasting Company (FEBC) joined the signing event.

Media organizations including Kapisanan ng mga Broadkaster ng Pilipinas (KBP), Philippine Press Institute (PPI), Catholic Media Network (CMN), Manila Overseas Press Club (MOPC), Foreign Correspondents Association of the Philippines (FOCAP), National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP), Center for Media Freedom and Responsibility (CMFR), Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism (PCIJ), and FactsFirstPH also took part in event.

Youtube is also among the partners in the initiative.

Meanwhile, the following academic institutions also committed to Panata Kontra-Fake News:

• Arellano University
• Colegio de San Juan de Letran
• De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde
• Emilio Aguinaldo College
• Jose Rizal University
• Lyceum of the Philippines University
• Mapua University
• San Sebastian College - Recoletos
• University of Perpetual Help System DALTA
• Adamson University
• De La Salle University
• Far Eastern University
• National University
• University of the East
• University of the Philippines Diliman
• University of the Philippines Los Baños
• University of Santo Tomas
• Polytechnic University of the Philippines
• Silliman University-Dumaguete
• Mariano Marcos State University 
• University of St. La Salle
• De La Salle Lipa
• Ateneo de Naga
• University of San Carlos
• Universidad de Dagupan
• University of Science and Technology of Southern Philippines
• Central Mindanao University
• University of the Philippines Mindanao
• Holy Cross of Davao College
• Notre Dame of Dadiangas University
• University of San Agustin- Iloilo
• University of the Philippines Visayas
• Western Mindanao State University

NUJP chairperson Jonathan de Santos said more organizations should unite to combat fake news considering that misinformation is a “coordinated” effort.

“Ang expectation kasi for news organizations or for journalists ay tinutulungan natin yung audience natin na maintindihan yung mundo para makagawa sila ng tama at sarili nilang desisyon,” he said.

(The expectation for news organizations or for journalists is that we help our audience to understand the world so that they can make the right and their own decisions.)

“Pero kung polluted yung information environment mo ng fake news and misinformation, mas mahirap para sa kanila na gumawa ng mga ganitong desisyon,” he added.

(But if your information environment is polluted with fake news and misinformation, it will be more difficult for them to make these decisions.)

The signing of the covenant coincided with the celebration of National Press Freedom Day. —KBK, GMA Integrated News