Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, June 20) — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said his administration will launch a media and information literacy campaign as the Philippines is plagued by disinformation and misinformation.
During the 14th edition of the International Conference of Information Commissioners on Monday, Marcos touted the Freedom of Information (FOI) program.
“We also have to highlight that the FOI Program has greatly advanced the campaign against misinformation and disinformation in the country — a problem that we in the Philippines also suffer from as I guess all of us do around the world,” he said
“Like everyone here, we too recognize as a matter of principle that fake news should have no place in modern society,” the president also said.
To fight disinformation and misinformation, he said the national government will roll out a media and information literacy campaign designed to be digital, multi-media, and youth-oriented.
“Our people can be assured of the continued implementation of the FOI Program in the executive branch, through the Presidential Communications Office,” Marcos said.
“At this juncture, I reiterate our call not only to the executive branch, but to all branches of government, to genuinely uphold and give effect to the people’s freedom of information in the course of our day-to-day operations, with good faith and with openness,” he added.
A recent report by Britain-based Reuters Institute showed that influencers were becoming more popular as a news source compared to journalists among young people.
In the Philippines, more Filipinos turn to social media platforms, including the Chinese short-form video app TikTok, to get their news, according to the report.
READ: TikTok gaining more popularity as news source in PH – report
Before the May 2022 national elections, Marcos benefitted from a “significant volume of false or misleading claims” for his presidential campaign, University of the Philippines Journalism professor Yvonne Chua said during a Senate hearing, citing a report from Tsek.ph. His fellow aspirant former Vice President Leni Robredo, on the other hand, was the “biggest victim” of disinformation, Chua added.
READ: Robredo top victim of disinformation; Marcos being promoted by misleading content – group
On reports that he was leading digital disinformation, Marcos said that while he received offers to deploy troll armies to boost his image, his social media presence was organic.
During the 2022 presidential campaign, Marcos was also urged to stop pretending he has a degree from the prestigious Oxford University.
The Oxford Philippines Society said Marcos did not finish his Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy, Politics and Economics degree at the prestigious university, citing the confirmation made by the university in 2015.
The group said while Marcos received a special diploma in social studies from the university in 1978, it is different from a degree.
RELATED: Oxford group: Marcos received special diploma, no college degree
Reacting to Marcos’ campaign against disinformation, the Campaign Against the Return of the Marcoses and Martial Law (CARMMA) said the president “needs a mirror to remind himself how he and his family have regurgitated the same lies over the years to deny the atrocities.”
“We agree with you, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.: fake news should have no place in modern society — but might we also add, so are its peddlers. Indeed, there should be no place in a modern and democratic society for people who spew lies, especially those who distort and falsify history to whitewash their crimes against the Filipino people,” the group said in a statement.
CARMMA also said Marcos tapped “a massive campaign of online disinformation” on social media giants Twitter and Facebook.
