PCO Calls for Stronger Social Media Regulation Amid Fake News Spread
The Presidential Communications Office (PCO) has reaffirmed its commitment to stronger social media regulation, emphasizing the urgent need to tackle the growing problem of fake news. This plea aligns with President Marcos’ directive to protect the public from misinformation that threatens democratic integrity.
During a recent House tri-committee hearing, PCO Secretary Jay Ruiz stressed the critical need to legally define “fake news” and impose penalties for its deliberate dissemination, especially in sensitive times like elections. He asked lawmakers, “Papaano kung ang tao bine-base niya ang mga desisyon niya sa mga fake news o kasinungalingan?” (What if people make decisions based on fake news or lies?).
He added, “Isipin mo kung ang mga botante natin boboto sa impormasyon na kasinungalingan, anong klaseng democracy ang meron tayo?” (Imagine if our voters cast their ballots based on false information—what kind of democracy do we have?). Ruiz warned that unchecked misinformation online could severely undermine voters’ ability to make informed choices and damage the democratic process.
Danger of Fake News Threatens Democracy
“If fake news continues, eventually our people will no longer decide based on facts but on lies,” Ruiz emphasized. He cited recent elections where some candidates blamed their defeat on coordinated fake news campaigns. “We agree that there is a right to information, but that right should be for accurate information,” he added.
Social Media Platforms and Responsibility
Ruiz revealed that Meta refused to remove a fake memorandum falsely attributed to Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin that circulated on Facebook and Instagram. “Alam mo sir, hindi nila tinanggal,” he said. The platforms defended their decision by citing freedom of expression and community standards, stating each user is accountable for their own account.
He questioned the influence of foreign social media companies that are not registered or taxed in the Philippines. “With the absence of a law for defining what fake news is, (for) setting penalties… wala tayong panghahawakan,” Ruiz said. He pointed out that other countries like Singapore and several European nations have laws that address online disinformation effectively.
International Examples of Digital Accountability
Ruiz highlighted Singapore’s approach, where online platforms face penalties of up to six percent of their revenue if found responsible for spreading disinformation. This example showcases the country’s strong stance on digital accountability and could serve as a model for the Philippines.
Current Legal Remedies and Future Plans
At present, Ruiz noted that those harmed by malicious online disinformation can only seek legal remedies under the Anti-Cybercrime Law, which does not specifically target fake news. To address this gap, the PCO and the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) are exploring a memorandum of agreement with social media companies to enhance cooperation in fact-checking and curbing misinformation.
The Marcos administration continues to emphasize responsible digital citizenship amid rapid technological changes reshaping public discourse. Strengthening social media regulation remains a priority to ensure accurate information prevails and democracy is protected.
For more news and updates on social media regulation, visit Filipinokami.com.