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Fact-checking is not the only solution — Full House speakers
BY XYRUZ BARCELONA & JESSICA MAE GALICTO | PHOTO BY ERICKA CASTILLO
IN HONOR of International FactChecking Day, the Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP) College of Communication Student Council (COCSC) hosted “Full House: Exploring the Cornerstones of Truth” seminar about how students can fight for the truth at Tanghalang PUP on April 17, 2023.
Attorney Luke Espiritu and De La Salle University Professor Xiao Chua were invited to share their expertise about fighting disinformation and red-tagging during the first session.
Cartoonist Zach, ExplainED PH Editor-in-Chief Archie Bergosa, Renee Co of Kabataan Partylist, and former Kabataan Partylist Representative Sarah Elago also shared their views on the topic in the afternoon session of the event.
PUP COC-SC President Ronjay Mendiola stressed in his opening remarks how important it is for the media to put themselves in the shoes of average Filipino citizens.
“Wala tayong maibabahaging kwento at wala tayong maibabahaging mga istorya ng mga katotohanan kung hindi talaga natin inaalam o hindi natin inilalagay iyong mga paa natin sa mga sapatos ng mga simpleng mamamayan.”
Mendiola also encouraged the youth to evoke change, speak for their fellow Filipino citizens, initiate mobilizations, and fight along with the masses.
Espiritu furthered Mendiola’s points in his talk about red-tagging with its dangers and legal parameters, emphasizing how anyone who protests against the government is labeled as part of a communist terrorist group.
Despite the claims, Espiritu asserted, “We will change this government and we will change this society.” an important role in fighting disinformation. He said, “Kahit wala tayong makinarya at gaanong kalaking pera, may magagawa tayo.”
Chua mentioned in his talk that former President Rodrigo Duterte’s biggest crime, besides violating human rights, was causing a division between Filipinos due to the rampant distortion of the truth.
He also said that fighting disinformation goes beyond fact-checking, where narrative building is also an effective way to solve the issue.
"Just let our narratives be ready in a time when the people will need it," Chua added.
Cartoonist Zach said that the arts play an important role in fighting disinformation. He said, "Kahit wala tayong makinarya at gaanong kalaking pera, may magagawa tayo."
Bergosa explained the importance of cross-checking when consuming media, citing that Filipinos instantly assume that information from mainstream media outlets is correct.
“‘Di lang dapat tayo fact-check. Dapat mayroon din tayong bias check, kasi hindi natin alam kung ang kino-consume ba nating narrative ay ‘yong narrative na nakaayon sa kanila.”
Co focused on the use of social media and the challenges in digital advocacies, presenting ways on dealing with online attacks, specifically trolls, highlighting the value of responding with facts.
Elago discussed that besides fighting disinformation, women still need to fight a lot of biases and prejudices in the industry.
The event finished off with a lightning rally led by Juan Gamalo of SAMASA PUPCOC alongside Kabataan Partylist as they called for the release of Frenchie Mae Cumpio—a young journalist who was redtagged and currently facing detention.
