Palace believes gov’t regulation will combat online disinformation

Metro Manila, Philippines - Malacañang believes that government regulation is the solution to combat disinformation on social media.

During the House tri-committee hearing on Thursday, June 5, Presidential Communications Office Secretary Jay Ruiz said the government should set the community standards of social media platforms.

“Supposedly, may [there should be] self-regulation on their community standards. Sila po ang nagbigay ng [They issued the] standards. It has to be the government who should give those standards. Tayo ang may responsibilidad [We have the responsibility],” Ruiz said.

“They say it’s a right - free information, right to information. But that right comes with accurate information. Kasinungalingan pinapakalat nila [They are spreading lies]? So, dapat du’n pa lang, ang [From there, the] platform should be accountable,” he added.

Ruiz assured the public that the government would not abuse its regulation, should it be given authority.

He noted that opinions are not false information.

“There’s no lying; it’s okay. It’s a freedom of expression,” the secretary said. “If it’s proven that it’s already a lie, they have to be accountable for that.”

Department of Information and Communications Technology Secretary Henry Aguda shared that he has talked to social media platform representatives about the regulation of content on the digital space.

He said the platform representatives signified that they want the platforms to be regulated.

“Nung nakausap ko sila kahapon, ano ba ang solusyon? ‘Pag tinanong n’yo sila, sasabihin nila, they need regulation,” Aguda said.

[Translation: When I asked them, what is the solution? They said they need regulation.]

Meanwhile, a representative from Google Philippines guaranteed that they would take responsibility for content that they could control on its platform.

“For things that are within control of the platform, we would take accountability for that. For things that are within the control of other entities, such as for example, the users, then the appropriate responsibility and accountability mechanisms as provided by law would be applicable,” said Yves Gonzalez, Google Philippines’ Government Affairs and Public Policy head.

The tri-committee, composed of the public order and safety; public information; and information and communications technology panels, has conducted an inquiry on the proliferating disinformation online.

READ: 40 social media personalities invited to House fake news probe

Lawmakers are exploring measures that seek to improve accountability, penalize repeat offenders, and improve digital literacy programs.