 |
| Tsek.ph (Image Source: TechGlimpse.ph) |
The
2019 Philippine midterm election period has officially began and more than 60
million voters in different parts of the country are starting to think of the right
people that they are going to vote on May. However, it is slated to be invaded
by a bevy of fake news, hoaxes and various similar forms of disinformation aiming
at deceiving the voting public and influencing their choices that can ruin the
credibility of the upcoming elections. This is where Tsek.ph, a new online
force against these kinds of credibility ruiners, comes in.
Launched
at the eve of the election period, this collaborative fact-checking project
aims to combat false reports and various kinds of disinformation by encouraging
Filipino internet users to verify what they have discovered online regarding the
elections. These include statements and campaign promises of candidates, personalities,
government agencies and other entities as well as election-related posts on
social media, blogs and other online platforms. Guided by the International
Fact-Checking Network's Code of Principles, these reports will be rated
accordingly upon verification using the following: Accurate, False, Misleading,
No Basis and Needs Context.
The
University of the Philippines (UP) spearheaded the project through the unwavering
efforts of its College of Mass Communications' Journalism Department, College
of Engineering's Department of Computer Science, and College of Law. Joining UP
in making the endeavor possible are partner schools Ateneo de Manila University
and De La Salle University as well as its bevy of media partners, namely: ABS‐CBN
Integrated News and Current Affairs, Baguio Midland Courier, Central Luzon TV
(CLTV) 36, Interaksyon, Mindanews, Philippine Star, Philstar.com, Probe
Productions, Rappler, Vera Files, and UP's radio station DZUP.
More
media partners will be invited to join the new force as it is assured that the
experience of many Filipinos during the 2016 national elections where
disinformation and false claims make a scene will not happen in the 2019 midterm
elections. Through reliable platforms such as news organizations and the likes of
Tsek.ph, voters will have the right, credible and reliable essential
information they need to weigh in on the merits of each candidate before
deciding on who they are going to choose to vote.
Both
Rappler and Vera Files happen to be verified and legitimate signatories to the
IFCN's Code of Principles and are among Facebook's third-party fact-checking
partners. Tsek.ph is supported by the Facebook Journalism Project and
technology partner Meedan.
