Photo Courtesy of JCR
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has issued a rallying cry for citizens of the Philippines to stand up for truth and vigilantly combat misinformation and disinformation. His appeal was made during a significant event that marked the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) between key government agencies and the official launch of the Presidential Communications Office’s (PCO’s) Media and Information Literacy (MIL) project, which aims to equip Filipinos with the necessary tools to navigate the digital information landscape.
In his address, President Marcos emphasized the critical role that truth plays in society and how misinformation and disinformation can erode its foundations. Referring to the commitment wall, where he wrote the powerful message “Fight for the Truth,” President Marcos articulated his conviction that safeguarding truth is paramount, as it tends to be the first casualty of distorted information.
The MOU, which was signed by the PCO, the Department of Education (DepEd), the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), and the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), symbolizes a united front against the spread of false narratives and inaccurate information.
President Marcos underscored the importance of honing citizens’ abilities to discern between credible information and speculation, particularly in an era dominated by social media platforms. He acknowledged the vulnerability of the youth to the perils of fake news and misinformation, and he expressed the government’s commitment to providing tools that empower young people to make informed decisions.
Emphasizing the need to engage young minds with critical thinking skills, President Marcos echoed PCO Secretary Cheloy Velicaria-Garafil’s observation that today’s youth view the Internet as an essential aspect of their lives. He urged educators, parents, and authorities to equip young individuals with the means to evaluate the credibility and relevance of information.
Drawing from past experiences, such as instances during political campaigns that were fueled by fake news, President Marcos highlighted the urgency of educating citizens about the significance of verifying sources. He urged individuals to question the origin and authenticity of information before accepting it as truth.
Wrapping up his address, President Marcos called upon every Filipino to take an active role in challenging misinformation and disinformation. He championed a society that values truth, recognizes its fragility in the face of misinformation, and acts decisively to preserve it.
As the Philippines navigates the evolving landscape of information dissemination, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s impassioned call to “Fight for the Truth” resonates as a reminder of the collective responsibility to safeguard the integrity of information for the nation’s betterment.
