Media and Information Literacy in the Philippines Disinformation Web

by Penny Angeles-Tan | Aug 23, 2024 | Business

This is the first part of the four-part series on Media and Information Literacy in the Disinformation Web. In this piece, it will discuss how the spread of fake news and misinformation is eroding trust in media and threatening democracy in the Philippines. Explore the impact of political propaganda, COVID-19 misinformation, and the fight for truth.

In the Philippines, the fine line between facts and fiction is increasingly blurred. Due to the proliferation of fake news, campaign propaganda, and state-sponsored trolling, Filipinos have difficulty fact-checking and assessing the content that they consume. Moreover, these contents tend to satisfy people’s biases and world view which is why they tend to accept the facts at face value even if they were factually erroneous to begin with.

This article will highlight different examples of how bad actors spread fake news. It will also highlight the dire consequences of the mass spreading of misinformation. Lastly, how can the community fight against them?

Case Study 1: Political Propaganda as Weaponization of Lies

Political propaganda is a potent tool in the Philippines. This is rampant during elections. During that season, false narratives and manipulated stories have become common on social media. Social media is the predominant source of campaign propaganda among Filipinos; after all, the Philippines is the social media capital of the world. This propaganda is exacerbated by state-sponsored trolling, which further amplifies these messages. This creates an echo chamber that stifles dissent.

For example, studies on the last 2022 presidential campaign have shown a surge in misleading information. Usually, the content of the campaign favors certain candidates while harming others. This is particularly detrimental to democracy because people ground their discretion on lies in order to vote for particular candidates. 

In this scenario, it harms the electorate the most because they are fed with lies in order to vote for certain candidates that have self-serving agendas. 

Case Study 2: Clickbait, PR and Coordinated Campaigns Contribute to the Fake News Epidemics

Aside from skewing public opinion, disinformation is handy in generating profits for businesses. Remember, attention is the new currency of the digital economy so enterprises come up with lots of strategies to attract people’s attention. For example, clickbait websites and PR firms contribute to the fake news epidemic. They churn out emotionally charged but misleading stories for profit. 

They do this through coordinated disinformation campaigns. The said campaigns flood social media with fabricated content that creates an illusion of widespread support for specific narratives. For example, they greenwash oil companies in order to blind-sight the public that they are environmentally responsible.

These tactics erode trust in media and foster as cloud of scepticism among institutions. If people are to rely on credible media sources, the media companies must hold themselves ethically responsible otherwise it will be a PR nightmare for them or a lawsuit waiting for telling fabricated stories.

Case Study 3: COVID-19 Misinformation That Worsened A Public Health Emergency

The COVID-19 pandemic has been a proven disaster due to misinformation. False claims about treatments and vaccines have led to dangerous health behaviors and vaccine hesitancy. These harmful narratives have prolonged the pandemic and put lives at risk.

Fighting Back: Media Literacy and Collective Action

To combat disinformation, it requires a multi-pronged approach. It requires the efforts of major key players.

•           Government agencies – pass laws that incentivize media companies to integrate responsible publications in their platforms such as fact-checking.

•           Independent fact-checkers and civil society organizations should educate the public and expose false narratives. 

•           Promotion of Media and information literacy education is essential so individuals can critically evaluate information. Understand that the reason bad actors exploit the consumers is due to a lack of MIL among users.

As a Media Consumer, What Can You Do?

•           Be Skeptical: Don’t believe everything you read online.

•           Check Sources: Verify information from reliable sources.

•           Support Fact-Checkers: Follow and share the work of reputable fact-checking organizations.

•           Demand Accountability: Hold media outlets and politicians accountable for spreading misinformation.

Balancing Regulation and Freedom of Speech

Everyone agrees that fighting disinformation is essential, but protecting freedom of speech is equally important. This is where things could get murky if we highly regulate speech in the name of fact-checking. 

The solution could be to find the right balance in regulations to ensure that legitimate discourse and criticism are not stifled. 

The Fight for Truth: A Shared Responsibility

The fight against disinformation is a shared responsibility. When people become more media literate and demand accountability, they can create a more informed and resilient society. The future of Philippine democracy may well depend on the ability of Filipinos to filter out the web of misinformation and uphold the truth.

Coach Boost Gio

Enhancing Media and Information Literacy in the Philippines

by Penny Angeles-Tan | Aug 22, 2024 | Business

This is the end of the four-part series of Media and Information Literacy Education in the Philippine Classrooms. As reiterated, Media and Information Literacy (MIL) education in the Philippines is evolving. This article delves into extracurricular activities as an important key factor in playing a crucial role in shaping students’ ability to critically engage with media and information. From school clubs to community workshops, these initiatives are making a lasting impact on the media literacy of Filipino youth.

Boosting Media Smarts: Extracurricular Activities for Filipino Students

Media and information literacy goes beyond the four corners of the classroom. In the Philippines, it could get a boost from all sorts of activities outside school hours. These real-world experiences are helping students become proficient in media and information. As a result, they become skilled in thinking critically and consuming media responsibly.

Why Media Literacy Matters Beyond the Classroom

Classroom lessons lay the groundwork, but extracurricular activities are where students put those lessons into practice. Yes, students learn the key principles of MIL in the classroom but in order to apply these lessons, they have to adapt those key takeaways in their daily lives.

School Clubs: A Creative Space for Learning

Students must see the beauty of learning MIL through a community. Schools could better provide these avenues through organizations. In this way, they learn camaraderie and hard work towards passion. Here are some examples:

• Media Clubs: These clubs are like mini-media studios. This is where students produce newspapers, and videos, and manage social media. They’re learning the ropes of media production and the responsibility that comes with it. Furthermore, this could be a good training ground for them so that when they become professionals themselves they have an idea of what good content is, how to apply good media ethics, and the like.

• Debate and Journalism Clubs: These clubs encourage students to dig into topics, analyze information, and present their findings. They’re getting hands-on experience with fact-checking and ethical reporting – essential skills in the age of information overload. Also, these clubs help students to sharpen their critical thinking skills and writing skills.

Workshops and Training Programs: Learning by Doing

As discussed in previous articles, community engagement can foster an environment to normalizes clean and responsible media and information consumption. They can validate what students can learn and provide more avenues for students to learn beyond their school premises.

• Meriam’s Online World: This program by the National Council for Children’s Television offers workshops for teachers and students. It focuses on responsible media consumption and production. This is a fun and engaging way to understand the importance of media literacy in our digital world. 

• #DigiTalino Program: This gamified training program has reached thousands of Filipinos, including students. It teaches them how to spot fake news and misinformation through interactive sessions and storytelling.

• Mindanao Youth Training: In Mindanao, workshops are helping young people become critical thinkers about the information they encounter. This is especially important in regions where fake news can have serious consequences.

What do these initiatives have in common? They care about student’s vulnerability of being victims of misinformation.They understand that a responsible and well-informed citizenry that can affect other people’s lives depends on the critical thinking capacities of all people. Hence, it is a good net effect that they’re contributing to the Philippines and to the whole world.

Reaching Communities: Media Literacy for All

As previously discussed, there is a stark digital divide among communities based on geography and socio-economic status. So, there are organizations that ensure everyone gets media and information literate. 

For example, The National Endowment Fund for Children’s Television supports educational 

TV programs for kids. Meanwhile, the ASEAN Digital Literacy Programme is training instructors who then teach media literacy in their communities. These efforts ensure that even those in remote areas get access to essential training.

We have to understand that education is a right, not a privilege for the few. So, all key stakeholders must create ways for MIL education access to be inclusive and affordable. They are doing this great cause because they believe that every person despite of any background can contribute to social greatness in any possible way that they can.

The Proof is in the Results

Studies have shown that while high school students are active on social media, they often lack the skills to create quality content. In other words, it is not enough anymore to consume and scrutinize media whether it is credible or not. The real proof of whether students learn from MIL is that they create information that contributes to the well-being of society.

This emphasizes the need for extracurricular activities that give them practical experience. Programs like #DigiTalino have reported success in raising awareness and improving critical thinking among participants.

The Bottom Line

Extracurricular activities are proving to be a game-changer for media literacy in the Philippines. It is proven that school clubs and community initiatives prepare students to gain the skills they need to navigate the complex world of media. As the digital landscape keeps changing, these activities are crucial in ensuring that young people are prepared to be informed and responsible citizens.

Coach Boost Gio