Metro Manila, Philippines – House lawmakers are eyeing a joint panel inquiry on fake and malicious news posted on social media, noting that these have become “rampant.”
Lawmakers proposed that the House committees on public order and safety, on information and communications technology, and on public information join together to conduct the investigation in aid of legislation.
The congressmen who raised the suggestion were also the authors of a resolution, pushing for the probe. They are Senior Deputy Speaker Dong Gonzales Jr., Deputy Speaker Jay-Jay Suarez, Majority Leader Manuel Jose Dalipe, Minority Leader Marcelino Libanan, Surigao del Norte Rep. Robert Ace Barbers, Manila Rep. Bienvenido Abante Jr., and Abang Lingkod Rep. Joseph Stephen Paduano.
“The balance between ensuring digital safety and protecting constitutional freedoms, particularly freedom of speech and expression, must be maintained, as these are cornerstones of democracy,” they stated in the resolution.
“There is a pressing need for a collaborative approach among relevant committees to identify gaps in existing laws and recommend measures to combat harmful content while upholding the rights of individuals to participate in free and open discourse,” they said.
Among the principles and goals of the proposed probe are enhancing social media platform accountability, combat cybercrimes, and protection of digital safety and public trust.
