Defining the Line Between Gossip and History

Technological advancements in communication are at its most high at this time of age; at a single touch of your screens or a simple click of a button, you can reach almost anybody anywhere on the globe. Yet ironic as it may seem, technological advances such as social media have become purveyors of deceptive and misleading information. As long as people in bad faith continue to exploit these communication channels for their gain and promote false information, the distinction between history and rumors will continue to fade day by day.

Tsismis (gossip) is pervasive in every community in the Philippines The term "marites" has been ubiquitous in representing residents in the neighborhood who gossip as a habit Undoubtedly, gossip is a part of Filipino culture dating from colonial times, hence the word "tsismis" comes from the Spanish word "chismes" which means gossip Despite an unlikeable trait, several gossips of the past have become our guide through history However, we must put in mind that gossip will always be gossip unless we provide factual evidence that backs up the truthfulness of such information Thus, in the age of technology, people must never erase or blur the line between gossip and history

The dangers of equating gossip with history are prevalent in today’s society Many of those who equate to such are easily swayed by the information they receive from almost anybody online It is a danger not only one person must try to solve but through the collective effort of every community member for it is only through the knowledge of each individual that we can combat gossip from taking over the factual aspect of history

Misleading information such as gossip can bend people’s opinions but must not bend the history of one’s nation The 2022 Philippine Presidential Elections was a clear example of how unverified social media posts have swayed the masses’ opinion towards some personalities and benefited the popularity of others A September 2022 Pulse Asia Survey reports that 86% of Filipinos find fake news as an issue This is alarming as a nation where many are already connected to the world wide web and using the internet as a means of communication and getting the news

The nation must also emphasize the value of media literacy in understanding the distinction between facts and rumors A person who is media literate not only develops a critical eye for what they see online but also becomes a responsible netizen who produces ethical and factual content Individuals must be able to distinguish between fact and fiction because with the normalization of fictional information comes historical revision and; worst, the repetition of the mistakes and dark events of the past

The goal of studying history is to prevent the country from making the same mistakes it did in the past It is crucial in determining how the nation should progress in the future Gossip and other deceptive words must be clearly defined and distinguished from historical truths The citizens of this nation must safeguard their future, starting by defining the distinction between gossip and history