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| (Image Source: GMA Network) |
The Philippines' largest and leading broadcast media company GMA Network, in collaboration with some of the country’s most reputable and prominent media organizations, academic institutions, and the Commission on Elections (COMELEC), convened in a landmark event to form the largest partnership in the fight against disinformation. Inspired by the Kapuso Network’s “Panata Kontra-Fake News” campaign, almost 60 partners heeded the call to be part of the Panata Kontra-Fake News Covenant Signing held last August 30, 2024 inside GMA Network Center in Quezon City. Under the rallying cry "Magkaisa Tayong Labanan Ang Fake", they pledged to uphold a shared responsibility and commitment to combatting fake news and disinformation, standing united in the fight against disinformation.
Beyond industry leaders, this latest advocacy campaign also calls on every Filipino to stand in solidarity against the spread of fake news and disinformation. “Fake news is both dangerous and harmful, but the truth is glorious and useful. It fosters an informed populace, essential for a functioning democracy and a stronger society. With it, we lay the groundwork for transformative projects that enhance the lives of every Filipino,” said GMA Network Chairman Atty. Felipe L. Gozon during the Panata Kontra-Fake News Covenant Signing which was held in observance of National Press Freedom Day. Gozon added, “Truth is the very mechanism by which we build a better nation. It is not always the most viral, but it remains the best story to tell. Lagi’t lagi, sama-sama tayong magpahayag ng katotohanan na walang kinikilingan, walang pinoprotektahan, walang kasinungalingan, sa pamamagitan ng serbisyong totoo lamang." Data from a Pulse Asia survey in September 2022 revealed that nine out of 10 adult Filipinos believe fake news is a problem. On the other hand, in a survey conducted by the Social Weather Station (SWS) in the fourth quarter of 2021, 67 percent of the respondents believed that fake news on the internet was a serious problem. Further, 51 percent said it was difficult to spot fake news.
Together with Gozon, also representing the Kapuso network during the covenant signing were President and CEO Gilberto R. Duavit Jr.; Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer Felipe S. Yalong; Senior Vice President and Head of Integrated News, Regional TV, and Synergy Oliver Victor B. Amoroso; Senior Vice President of Corporate Strategic Planning and Business Development, Concurrent Chief Risk Officer, and Head of Program Support Regie C. Bautista; First Vice President for Public Affairs Nessa Valdellon; First Vice President for Radio Operations Group Glenn F. Allona; GMA New Media Inc. President and Chief Operating Officer Dennis Augusto L. Caharian; and Vice President for Corporate Affairs & Communications Angela Javier Cruz. Among the roster of distinguished partners is COMELEC Chairman Atty. George Erwin M. Garcia where he stressed that traditional media remains the trusted purveyor of news and information and urged netizens to maintain their trust in traditional media regarding reportage as the mainstream media knows how to vet facts compared unscrupulous social media channels and personalities. “Citizens and voters should rely only on reliable and strong media entities, which are the traditional or mainstream media. We must be extra careful with some social media because we cannot differentiate what’s real or not when it comes to the information that they disseminate,” said Garcia.
Garcia pointed out that fake news peddlers are not just local but also coming from other countries who are trying to meddle in various issues in the country, especially the coming mid-term elections. “Misinformation, disinformation, and fake news are not only being done domestically, it is now international. They want to influence our elections, particularly the candidates. When that happens, it is frightening as the voters are vulnerable to choosing the wrong and fake officials who have bad intentions for our nation,” he said. Garcia said the poll body will release guidelines next week on how to regulate or prohibit the use of artificial intelligence (AI) and deepfakes in the 2025 mid-term election process. “These rules are vital to give candidates equal opportunities during the campaign, as well as to prevent the proliferation of fake news. The Comelec just wants a fair treatment because not all candidates have the means to campaign nationwide, especially those who are not well-off or belong to a huge party,” said Garcia. Local technology experts have warned that AI and deepfakes would play a bigger role in the campaign period for the 2025 midterm elections. To avert this, the COMELEC proposed the prohibition of AI technology and deepfakes in the electoral campaigns. In July 2024, the COMELEC announced it would come up with a set of guidelines for the use of AI in the May 2025 elections. The Commission also launched a task force mandated to protect the May 2025 polls against AI-driven misinformation and disinformation through the monitoring and regulation of published content on quad-media such as TV, radio, print, and online.
Joining the Panata Kontra-Fake News Covenant Signing are representatives of some of the country’s most trusted media organizations including Philippine Daily Inquirer President and CEO Atty. Rudyard Arbolado, Manila Bulletin Publishing Corporation Publisher Herminio "Sonny" B. Coloma Jr., The Manila Times Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Dante "Klink" Ang II, Manila Standard Publisher Rolando G. Estabillo, Daily Tribune President Willie Fernandez, Malaya Chief Executive Officer Antonio Macasaet, and Business Mirror Publisher T. Anthony C. Cabangon. Also pledging their support are PEP.ph (Philippine Entertainment Portal) Editor-In-Chief Jo-Ann Q. Maglipon; Rappler Co-Founder and Executive Editor Glenda M. Gloria; Pia Ranada of the #FactsFirstPH Coalition; Sunstar President Gahum Vincent L. Garcia; PressOne.ph Multimedia Editor Niceforo Vince A. Balbedina III; Advanced Media Broadcasting Systems (AMBS) President Maribeth C. Tolentino; ZOE Broadcasting Network Inc. (ZOE) Programming, Sales and Marketing Head Nestor T. Layderos; Catholic Media Network (CMN) President and CEO Rev. Fr. Francis B. Lucas; MBC Media Group (MBCMG) President Ruperto S. Nicdao Jr.; Far East Broadcasting Company (FEBC) represented by DZAS Station Manager Josephine C. Alabastro; and Quest Broadcasting Inc. represented by Magic 89.9 DJ Tina Ryan. Signing their commitment as well are representatives of the country's biggest media organizations including Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster ng Pilipinas (KBP) President Noel C. Galvez, Philippine Press Institute (PPI) Executive Director Ariel C. Sebellino, Manila Overseas Press Club (MOPC) Chairman Antonio S. Lopez, Foreign Correspondents Association of the Philippines (FOCAP) Board Member Regine Cabato, National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP) Chairman Jonathan de Santos and Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism (PCIJ) Training Director Rowena Paraan.
Also in solidarity are various colleges and universities including Adamson University President Fr. Daniel Franklin E. Pilario, CM; De La Salle University Provost Dr. Robert Roleda; National University Senior Director for Corporate Marketing and Communications Adolfo J. Aran Jr.; University of the East Director of Marketing and University Relations Edilberto B. Sulat Jr.; University of the Philippines Los Baños Director of Public Relations Mark Lester Del Mundo Chico; and Polytechnic University of the Philippines President Dr. Manuel M. Muhi. Joining the pledge are the ten member schools of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) represented by Arellano University Vice President for Human Resources and Director for Legal Affairs Atty. Frederick G. Dedace; Colegio de San Juan de Letran Student Council Adviser Cora-Lynne Regencia-Navalta; De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde Vice Chancellor for Academics Angelo Lacson; Emilio Aguinaldo College President and Dean of Student Affairs Ameena Oliva RRT, MAEd; José Rizal University Board of Trustees Member Augusto Fabella; Lyceum of the Philippines University Dean of Student Affairs Gladys Ramos; Mapúa University President and Chief Executive Officer Dr. Dodjie Maestrocampo; San Sebastian College - Recoletos President Fr. Rafael B. Pecson, OAR; and University of Perpetual Help System DALTA School Director Arnaldo De Guzman. Representing the academe as well are regional school partners comprising of University of St. La Salle Bacolod President Bro. Joaquin Severino S. Martinez; De La Salle Lipa Vice Chancellor for Academics Dr. Tessie Palma; Ateneo De Naga Officer-in-Charge Bro. Raymund E. Belleza, SJ; Silliman University Officer-in-Charge of Strategic Partnerships Gleenis Jean Casiño; University of San Carlos Vice President for Academic Affairs Fr. Yesura Anthon-Yappen, SVD; Universidad De Dagupan Chief Operating Officer Jann Alfred Arzadon Quinto; University of Science and Technology of Southern Philippines President Dr. Ambrosio B. Cultura II; Central Mindanao University President Dr. Rolito G. Eballe; University of the Philippines Mindanao Chancellor Dr. Lyre Anni E. Murao; Holy Cross Of Davao College Vice President for Academic Affairs Dr. Teresa Fabiana; Notre Dame of Dadiangas University President Br. Manuel V. De Leon, FMS; Mariano Marcos State University Officer In Charge and Information Services Section Chief Maria Kathrina Ysabel A. Antonio; University of San Agustin AB Communication Academic Supervisor Dr. Rhoda G. Campillan; University of the Philippines Visayas Chancellor Dr. Clement C. Camposano; and Western Mindanao State University President Dr. Ma. Carla Ochotorena.
University of the Philippines Diliman, University of Santo Tomas, and Center for Media Freedom and Responsibility (CMFR) are also part of the alliance. Supporting the campaign is digital platform Google through Google Philippines' Head of Government Affairs and Public Policy Atty. Yves Gonzales. Gracing the covenant signing event was Kapuso singer and The Clash alumni Anthony Rosaldo singing GMA Integrated News and Public Affairs' anthem "Panata Sa Bayan". Following the historic Panata Kontra-Fake News Signing, GMA Network will fire up content to educate Filipinos regarding fake news and encourage them to stand in solidarity against disinformation.
