The private-sector led Digital Media Standards Coalition, which includes more than 10 groups, was recently launched to support the government in its fight against misinformation and false narratives in the digital space.
“We are hoping that we will be able to help the legislature craft a law that will prevent the proliferation of fake news in all aspects in the Philippines,” said its chair, Antonilo Mauricio, during a press conference in Makati.
Composed initially of the Blockchain Council of the Philippines, the Kapisanan ng Social Media Broadcasters ng Pilipinas, the Cybersecurity Council of the Philippines, the Global AI Council Philippines, the National Coalition for Financial Management Students, the Junior Confederation of Finance Association Philippines, the Finance Educators Association of the Philippines, and Asian Institute of Journalism and Communication trustee Olivia Celeste Villafuerte, the group is developing a code of ethics that it would submit to Bataan Rep. Geraldine Roman, who is working on drafting an anti-fake news bill in the House of Representatives.
“Basically, what it seeks to do is to regulate social media platforms by, number one, requiring them to establish a legal entity or presence in our country. Number two, require these social media platforms to verify the different accounts,” Roman pointed out.
Along with efforts to regulate social media platforms, she said that they were also working to prevent censorship and ensure that the bill strikes a balance between curbing misinformation and safeguarding freedom of speech, allowing for both accountability and the protection of individual rights online.
Counting on strong backing from other lawmakers, Roman expressed hope that her bill would be passed either later this year or in the next legislative session.
Faced with the continuing threat of misinformation and disinformation, the impact of which has been demonstrated during the recently concluded elections and campaign period, any effort to counter it should help. Hopefully, if the combined effort is sustained, until a difference is made. Perhaps legislation is a start, but whatever happens, we have to keep up with the defense of the truth.*
