CURBING FAKE NEWS. Commission on Higher Education (CHED) Chairperson J. Prospero de Vera III delivers his speech during the media and information literacy (MIL) campaign after signing the joint memorandum of understanding with the Presidential Communications Office (PCO) and other government agencies on Monday (Aug. 14, 2023) at the Hilton Hotel in Pasay City. De Vera also lauded several social media giants for showing support in the MIL campaign as he raised possible benefit of advanced algorithms to curb the spread of fake news. (PNA photo by Joey Razon)
MANILA – The Commission on Higher Education (CHED) on Monday said social media giants can help the government curb the proliferation of fake news in the country to protect students or "digital natives."
CHED Chairperson J. Prospero de Vera III made the statement after signing the joint memorandum of understanding (MOU) with various government agencies spearheaded by the Presidential Communications Office (PCO) to promote media and information literacy (MIL) in Pasay City.
In a speech, de Vera said an "advanced algorithm" may be a strategic aid from social media giants to flag potential fake news or misinformation.
"Google, Facebook, and Tiktok can play a significant role in curbing this issue by providing algorithms, enhancing content moderation, launching educational campaigns, partnering with higher education institutions, promoting fact-checking, enhancing user transparency, and strengthening community guidelines," he said.
De Vera described disinformation as something that is propagated by people to "discord public opinion or push for a certain propaganda."
"These strategies can help reduce the visibility of unverified or misleading content, improve content moderation, and encourage responsible content consumption and sharing," he added.
De Vera, however, expressed hopes of utilizing such an advanced algorithm without infringing on the freedom of speech of students.
"Our students are digital natives who are well-equipped to engage in a digital society. But to engage in a digital society, we need to empower them in the use of proper tools to inquire, understand, communicate, and think critically," he said.
The CHED said that by empowering students through MIL, digital platforms may serve as a "powerful" tool for them to express their thoughts and feelings.
"Media and information literacy is an essential component of students and teachers' learning that fosters equitable access to knowledge, which in turn opens up opportunities," de Vera said.
The CHED vowed to fulfill its mandate in campaigning for MIL in partnership with other government agencies.
"We have been pushing for this for some time now. The best way to combat disinformation and fake news remains of course a topic that is highly debated. But I think we all agree that addressing the spread of disinformation among young people in Philippine higher education is a complex issue that requires partnerships among different stakeholders," he said.
The CHED expressed full support to intensifying efforts to combat fake news as it may affect the administration's initiatives and programs.
"Kadalasan dahil sa fake news, ang mga mabubuting intensyon at inisyatibo ng ating kasalukuyang administrasyon at iba pang ahensya ng pamahalaan ay nababahiran o nadudungisan (Usually, because of fake news, the good intentions and initiatives of the present administration are being tainted or blemished)," de Vera added.
The CHED signed the MOU with the PCO, the Department of Education (DepEd), the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), and the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD). (PNA)
