PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Monday reminded government officials to be careful against violating the right of expression of individuals in the government’s fight against fake news and misinformation.
Marcos gave the reminder during a sectoral meeting in Malacañang with officials of the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) and the Presidential Communications Office (PCO) that focused on the different programs and projects of the DICT and the ongoing campaign against fake news.
The president, during the meeting, likewise reiterated the need for a strong mechanism to combat misinformation and disinformation in light of rapidly evolving digital technologies.
In a news release, the PCO said Marcos expressed support to the anti-fake news campaign of the two agencies but acknowledged that regulating online platforms would be challenging since any proposed regulation should be weighed against the right to freedom of expression.
“He also emphasized that any measure should be clear as to what is being regulated and how the regulation will be undertaken without infringing on this fundamental right,” it said.
DICT Secretary Henry Rhoel Aguda, in emphasizing the need for a “firm national position to counter online falsehoods,” said the right to free expression carries with it special duties and responsibilities and may be subject to certain restrictions under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.
Communications Secretary Jay Ruiz said PCO is working with the DIICT- Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center (CICC) in expediting actions against the proliferation of fake news on social media and other platforms.
Ruiz said the PCO and the CICC have developed an operational framework to identify websites and online content that disseminate false information.
Palace Press Officer Claire Castro had said on Monday that apart from addressing fake news, the government is also coming up with measures that would improve internet access and national connectivity by June.
Meanwhile, in line with the government’s drive to clamp down on fake news, the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) yesterday sued four more vloggers residing abroad for spreading videos on social media that distorted the remarks of NBI chief Jaime Santiago about overseas Filipino workers (OFWs).
On Monday, the NBI filed charges against a Cebu City-based vlogger, whose identity was withheld, after the content creator shared on his/her social media platform an edited video showing Santiago allegedly threatening OFWs.
Santiago said his remarks were distorted to make it appear that he was threatening OFWs when he was just answering reporters’ question in a media briefing about the action being taken by the administration against content creators here and abroad who are allegedly spreading fake or false information about the government.
Yesterday, the NBI Criminal Intelligence Division charged four more vloggers before the Department of Justice, also for the same offense.
One of those charged is a native of Balut Island, Saranggani in Davao Occidental and holds the social media name “wildflower269.” He/she is currently working in Saudi Arabia.
Another one is from Tarlac, who is currently working in New Zealand, while the third one is from Catigbian in Bohol and is working in the United Kingdom.
The last one is from Betis, Pampanga and is residing in Canada.
In its transmittal letter addressed to Prosecutor General Richard Anthony Fadullon, the NBI said the four are being charged “for unlawful use of means of publication and unlawful utterances under Article 154 of the Revised Penal Code, anti-alias law under Article 178 of the Revised Penal Code, intriguing against honor under Article 364 of the Revised Penal Code, and inciting to sedition under Article 142 of the Revised Penal Code.”
“All in relation to Section 6 of RA 10175 or the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012,” the NBI added. – With Ashzel Hachero
