President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has called on the media to help counter the spread of fake news, which he warned is now causing real harm to public perception and national discourse.
Speaking at the Malacañang Press Corps Year-end Fellowship on Wednesday night, Marcos acknowledged the critical role that journalists play in helping the public understand major issues.
He noted that misinformation has become pervasive, saying, “In the beginning, we thought it was funny, it was entertaining, but now it’s become damaging.”
Marcos stressed that fake news is no longer a trivial matter, adding, “And that is something that we have to be concerned about.”
He appealed to journalists to assist the government in educating Filipinos about verifying information, saying, “We need your help… Government needs the help of all the media to try and explain to people that you have to be more discerning about what you read and what you believe and what you take on.”
The President also emphasized the need for collective action, stating, “That is what I think we all have to work together,” as he highlighted the importance of a more logical and coherent national conversation.
Marcos expressed hope that the cooperation and goodwill built between government and the press would translate into coordinated efforts against misinformation.
He said such collaboration would lead to “a much better, much more logical kind of discussion,” which he believes will benefit both the country and the Filipino people.