The spread of fake news is alarming.
In Pulse Asia’s recent survey, nine in 10 Filipinos believe fake news is a problem. And the belief covers a large spectrum of the society.
“This is the prevailing sentiment at the national level (86 percent), as well as in each geographic area and socio-economic grouping (77 percent to 92 percent and 74 percent to 93 percent, respectively). Agreement with this opinion is more pronounced in Metro Manila and the rest of Luzon than in the Visayas and Mindanao (87 percent to 92 percent versus 77 percent to 81 percent) and in the better-off Classes ABC and D than the poorest Class E (87 percent to 93 percent versus 74 percent),” Pulse Asia said.
The same survey showed that internet or social media (68 percent) and television (67 percent) are the leading sources of fake news about government and politics. Other sources are: radio (32 percent), friends/acquaintances (28 percent), family/relatives (21 percent), community leaders (four percent), newspaper (three percent), and religious leader (one percent).
Who are responsible in spreading fake news? The survey showed they are social media influencers (58 percent), journalists (40 percent), national-level politicians (37 percent), local politicians (30 percent), civic leaders (15 percent), businessmen (11 percent), and academics or teachers (four percent).
While some may blame digitalization for the advent of fake news, the problem is nothing new.
“The reality of deception is as old as Genesis,” Christian writer and book author Randy Petersen said in his piece, “Fake news and the Bible.”
So how can we address this age-old problem?
Some suggest legislation, but this may end up as a violation of the Constitution.
Article III, Section 4 of the 1987 Constitution clearly states: “No law shall be passed abridging the freedom of speech, of expression, or of the press, or the right of the people peaceably to assemble and petition the government for redress of grievances.”
“I don’t think legislation is necessary. The Constitution guarantees free speech, and it would be ironic if we regulate or restrict speech or other expression just because we have different opinions or views,” Sen. Nancy Binay said, even if she believes fake news is an “uncontrolled virus.”
With legislation a questionable option, solving the problem needs a whole-of-society approach. Everyone should contribute his or her share in battling fake news. And this should begin in us.
We must take note that in the Pulse Asia survey, friends and family also comprise a big chunk of those responsible in spreading fake news.
For friends and family members, we believe there is no conscious effort to spread fake news. The problem lies in the eagerness to share information that pops out in our social media walls, without taking into account the veracity and consequences of the shared data. As they say, “read before you click.”
Prophet Moses’ warning in the Book of Exodus in the Holy Bible – “You shall not spread a false report” – should serve as a good guide for everyone to keep us from spreading fake information.
And we must also remember what’s written in Proverbs 12:22: “The Lord detests lying lips, but he delights in people who are trustworthy.”
Whether you are a social media influencer, a journalist, a politician, a civic leader, a businessman, or an academician, you have an important role to play in combatting fake news.
Take these two Bible passages to heart and just be responsible in what you share – it must be the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth.