The Presidential Communications Office (PCO) will intensify its efforts in fighting disinformation and fake news under the helm of newly-appointed Secretary Cesar Chavez.
This was the assurance made by Chavez during the budget hearing in the House of Representatives on Monday when asked by ACT-Teachers Rep. France Castro about his plan to combat disinformation and misinformation in state media.
Chavez revealed his plan to issue a memorandum circular to designate a “fact-checking officer” in all PCO-affiliated agencies.
“Immediately after I took my oath as Acting Secretary of PCO, I met the Malacañang Press Corps and informed them [about] our initiative. In the next few days, I’ll be issuing a memorandum circular address to all state media that means PTV-4, Philippine Information Agency, Radyo Pilipinas-Bureau of Broadcast Services, the Philippine News Agency, the IBC-13, and the PCO Proper that all of them will designate fact-check officer,” Chavez said.
“A fact check officer or anti-fake news officer will help us that we cannot be an instrument or a purveyor of fake news,” he added.
The PCO chief underscored the need for all state media to be vigilant and take the lead in combating fake news.
“Therefore, institutionally there is going to be fact-check officer in every Radyo Pilipinas, in every Philippine News Agency, in every Philippine Information Agency and state media and PCO,” Chavez said.
According to Chavez, his plans will be executed “in the next few days.”
During the budget hearing, Chavez assured Castro that there is no place for red-tagging in the administration of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.
“Madam Chair, two things. One there is no policy in this government, there is no practice in this government … this government, this Marcos administration government…on red-tagging,” he said. PND
