PIA chief stressed responsible sharing of information
PHILIPPINE Information Agency Director General Harold Clavite stressed sharing of responsible information in this times were people rely too much on the internet.
“Responsible sharing of information is not just an advocacy, it is a must in a society where people tend to put too much trust in the internet. Forwarding this narrative doesn’t start with the government nor whoever runs your social media platforms, it starts with you,” Clavite stressed during a plenary session at the 2018 National Conference and Literacy Awards with the theme, “Inclusive Literacy through Integrative and Innovative Partnerships” at Hotel Supreme on September 5.
Clavite outlined that as the country’s achievements in terms of basic and functional literacy have been gaining ground, there is also the need to strengthen partnership among all stakeholders, both in the government and private sector, in pushing for cyber or digital literacy to address disinformation that leads to public misinformation that is now becoming a social concern.
“Digital media is an emerging information source that we need a
new kind of literacy that we have not yet mastered as it continues to evolve as we speak,” he said.
Clavite added around 67 million Filipinos use the internet in a day while kids or the younger generation spend an average of 34 hours online every week which makes them vulnerable to wrong or misleading information that may affect their lives.
The PIA chief also cautioned the public there are irresponsible social media users that are spreading disinformation or fake news to forward their own personal or political agenda or to forward other person/ group’s agenda for a fee or financial gain.
In terms of negative effect, misinformed citizens may actually mislead them to do wrong decisions in response to critical situations, he stressed.
For the younger generation, the internet and various social media accounts that can easily be created by manipulators of disinformation or fake news could negatively affect the attitude and behavior of the people, or worse makes them victim of cybercrimes and cyberbullying, among others, he added.
Thus, Clavite reiterated as responsible citizens, we must share the right information that can help empower people and communities towards the country’s goal of bringing a better life to every Filipino family, progress to all communities and nation building.
For PIA, Clavite said the agency is strengthening its campaign against disinformation and fake news starting with capacity building of PIA personnel and information officers of national government agencies, local government units and civil society organizations that are into information and developmental communication advocacy.
In partnership with several ASEAN countries, UNESCO and NGAs, PIA is pushing for Media and Information Literacy advocacy to educate the public on the importance of responsible sharing of information.
PIA, he said, is working to build an information highway where correct information will be delivered to the public. This will initially be done in partnership with the network of government information officers, local government unit public information units, campus journalists and local media groups to enhance people to people connectivity in the country through PIA’s 16 regional offices and 78 provincial information centers all over the country.