Information officers from various national government agencies in MIMAROPA region were taught skills in combating misinformation and teamed up to ensure accurate public information.
During the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) MIMAROPA’s online forum attended by over 20 regional information officers on May 28, PIA highlighted the importance of critical media literacy and the collective role of government communicators.
Paul Jaysent Fos of PIA Romblon cited the shift away from the term “fake news,” emphasizing that news, by definition, should always be truthful.
“Hindi na ginagamit ang term na ‘fake news’ sapagkat kapag sinabi mong news, ito ay dapat makatotohanan. So hindi peke ang news. Never,” Fos said.
Fos introduced the Presidential Communication Office’s (PCO) “Maging Mapanuri” program, an initiative aimed at addressing disinformation, misinformation and malinformation.
He emphasized the SPOT method, which guides information officers on how to identify misleading stories– S stands for Source, P for Purpose, O for Ownership and T for Timeliness.
“Importanteng magamit natin ang SPOT method na ito para siguraduhing lehitimo ang website o social media account na pinagkukunan natin ng information bago natin i-disseminate sa publiko,” he said.
Fos advised participants to verify the author’s credentials, confirm the legitimacy of websites or social media accounts, understand the intent behind information and always read entire reports rather than just headlines.
On the other hand, PIA MIMAROPA Regional Head Jemin B. Guillermo called on information officers to become active partners in disseminating validated information.
“You are key players in correcting erroneous information and dismissing misleading misinformation,” she said.
Guillermo emphasized the urgent need for data validation to prevent the rapid spread of falsehoods once they appear on media platforms.
Moreover, she added the importance of incorporating the voices of government program beneficiaries in information materials.
“Mas kailangan na natin marinig ang boses ng recipients…firsthand experiences make communication stories more impactful,” she said.
According to PIA MIMAROPA, the forum reflects the broader government stance on combating misinformation, aligning closely with the priorities of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to foster a more informed citizenry and build resilience against the damaging effects of misinformation in the digital age.
