Hearing on fake news: Media coverage highlights self-regulation  

CHEERS TO Inquirer.net Philstar.com, Rappler, and TV5’s Frontline Pilipinas for their reports that went beyond the focus of the House Tri-committee hearing on “fake news” and discussed the need for accountability on the part of social media influencers.  

Well-known social media personalities, all supporters of former President Rodrigo Duterte, had failed to respond to two invitations issued by the House.  However, the third tri-comm hearing on March 21 drew the following to attend: , Krizette Chu, Mary Jane “MJ” Quiambao Reyes, Trixie Cruz-Angeles, Aeron Peña, Elizabeth Joie Cruz, among others. The session revealed the group’s attempt to avoid accountability – claiming that they were only expressing their opinion.

Media reported mostly what transpired during the session. However,  reports from Inquirer.net, Philstar.com, Rappler, and Frontline Pilipinas highlighted the danger of social media regulation – a step that could lead to encroachment on media freedom and independence.     

A balancing act 

Dominique Flores of Philstar.com on March 26 quoted Grace Salonga, a lawyer with the Movement Against Disinformation, who said that upholding “the integrity of public discourse and freedom of expression requires ‘a delicate balancing act.’”  Flores noted that regulations on disinformation, when abused, can also lead to the stifling of independent media and undermine the role of the press as watchdog. She recounted the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012, or Republic Act 1015, which has been weaponized to harass journalists.  

“A double-edged sword” 

Rappler’s Dwight De Leon on March 25 cited journalism professor Danilo Arao, who described the House investigation of social media influencers as a “double-edged sword,” noting how the probe veered toward legislation as a solution. 

Ed Lingao’s explainer in Frontline Pilipinas on March 25 expressed the same concern about the threat of state regulation of media, He recalled controversial actions by the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board, which has called for film cuts and banning of films from showing because of sexual or political content that members of the Board found offensive.  Such watchdog agencies can go beyond their mandate and violate the constitutional protection of media freedom. 

Self-regulation

Krixia Subingsubing of Inquirer.net on March 23 reported on the recommendation of  Bataan Rep. Geraldine Roman for a self-regulating body that “could function like the Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster ng Pilipinas and the Ad Standards Council” — prohibiting themselves from spreading fake news. 

The news media should make sure to follow up on future hearings that target the content of social media with legislation, because the discussion could also involve checks on the work of journalists.