Meralco Vice President and Head of Corporate Communications Joe R. Zaldarriaga rallied the next generation of communicators to take the lead in promoting media literacy and combating the spread of fake news.
Speaking before communication students and faculty of Far Eastern University (FEU) on September 29, 2025, Zaldarriaga underscored the crucial role of young voices in shaping a responsible digital landscape. The learning session formed part of FEUling PRide: Charging Ahead in Public Relations, a seminar organized by the FEU Communication Society in partnership with the Public Relations Society of the Philippines (PRSP).
“Your voice matters just as mine matters. Your choices online matter. And together, we can make responsible communication trend again,” Zaldarriaga said in his talk on Countering Misinformation and Disinformation in Digital Media. “We all need to collaborate because upholding credibility is everyone’s responsibility.”
A long-time advocate of media literacy, Zaldarriaga shared practical strategies on how to identify, challenge, and prevent the spread of misinformation and disinformation. He stressed that media literacy is no longer optional—it is an essential life skill that should be embedded in education.
“Some schools have already taken steps to teach students how to spot fake news. With the right support, more young people—especially in vulnerable communities—can gain access to this critical knowledge,” he added.
As a PRSP Board of Trustee, Zaldarriaga also voiced strong support for FEU’s collaboration with industry practitioners, highlighting its importance in sharpening critical thinking, cultivating discernment, and fostering responsible digital citizenship among students.
