Government Officials Must Avoid Sharing Fake News
Sharing of fake news, including content created by artificial intelligence (AI), should be avoided by government officials at all costs, a Palace official emphasized. This key responsibility ensures that public trust remains intact, especially when officials share information online.
Palace Press Officer and Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro spoke out following reports that Senator Ronald Bato Dela Rosa shared an AI-generated video about Vice President Sara Duterte’s impeachment case. “Ang pagsi-share ng mga katulad na ganiyan, muli, disinformation, fake news, hindi po sana nanggagaling sa mga opisyal ng pamahalaan,” Castro said during a Palace briefing on June 16. (Sharing of disinformation, fake news, again should not come from officials of the government.)
Trust at Stake from Fake News
Castro warned that when high-ranking officials spread disinformation, it raises serious doubts and erodes public trust. “Nakakaduda, mas nakakawala ng tiwala kung mismo sa matataas na opisyal nanggagaling ang mga disinformation at fake news. At mabuti po at ito ay nai-correct at napansin po ng ating mga kababayan,” she added. (It harbors doubt, even more trust-eroding when disinformation and fake news come from high-ranking officials. It is a good thing that this was corrected and noticed by our fellow citizens.)
The official stressed that government leaders must be discerning about what they share publicly, especially online, since their words often carry the weight of truth in the eyes of the people.
Accountability for Shared Content
“So, ngayon na ginawa po nila, at wala tayong magagawa doon, dapat lamang po nilang i-acknowledge na ang ipinasa nila na video ay hindi totoo at hindi tunay,” Castro said. (So, now, that they have done it, and we cannot do anything about it, it is only right for them to acknowledge that the video they shared is not true and nor real.)
She also expressed gratitude to those who helped debunk the video and identify it as AI-generated. “So, maraming salamat sa inyong pagtulong sa pamahalaan para ma-detect natin ang mga fake news na minsan ay mga taga-gobyerno pa ang gumagawa,” Castro concluded. (So, thank you very much for your help in detecting fake news, which at times is even created by people within the government.)
For more news and updates on government officials sharing fake news, visit Filipinokami.com.