DAVAO CITY – A Davao City councilor has called on mainstream media, social media outlets, and influencers to renew their commitment to upholding the highest standards of journalistic integrity.

MILITAR (FB)

Committee on Information and Technology chairperson Councilor Bonz Andre Militar, on Tuesday, September 10, raised serious concerns regarding the accuracy and trustworthiness of information shared online during the 16-day standoff between the members of the Philippine National Police and the Kingdom of Jesus Christ here.

"We have all witnessed the challenges posed by the spread of unverified and conflicting reports. One of the crucial things we realized over the past weeks has highlighted, once again, how crucial it is for the public to receive timely and accurate information," Militar said in a privilege speech.

Given the complexity of the situation, Militar said it was not easy to acquire information regarding what is really happening on the ground. He added that people are relying on information shared on social media or reports from mainstream media.

However, Militar said people monitoring the situation between the PNP and the KOJC, including himself, are confronted with different versions of the same story, each one colored by its source or social media platform.

"This flood of varying accounts has left many Davaoeños confused, anxious, and at times misinformed. Misinformation and disinformation breed fear, create panic, and will only confuse people," Militar said, emphasizing that misinformation and disinformation are dangerous.

"At the heart of 'responsible journalism' lies an important principle – news must not be tailored to fit the interests of any individual or group. It must serve only one purpose: To present the bare truth no matter how inconvenient or uncomfortable it may be," the councilor added.

He pointed out the crucial part of telling a news story, which sometimes depend where it is coming from and how accurate is the information, is the challenge on how to be as accurate, balanced, and as fair as possible in delivering them.

Recognizing the existence of the social media where people could easily post and share information, Militar urged everyone, mainstream media, online news platforms, social media influencers, to uphold the highest standard of journalism.

"Before publishing or sharing any report, we must first ensure that it is accurate, verified, and free from bias. Public trust rest on your shoulders, and with that trust comes responsibility to provide the truth," Militar said.

He urged all news sources, particularly those in positions of authority, to provide timely and truthful information that the people need to know. Militar called on the public to be vigilant and discerning in the information they consume and share.

"Let us cultivate the habit of cross-checking facts before forwarding news or forming opinions. In this age of information overload, it is more important than ever to distinguish fact from fiction and truth from rumor," the councilor said.

Militar encouraged everyone to help one another in ensuring that facts are shared and false information are corrected. This is everybody's responsibility, he said.