FEAR-MONGERING IN THE AGE OF SOCIAL MEDIA

The rise of disinformation is threatening the very fabric of our country

The Philippines has been described as “patient zero” in the worldwide rise of digital disinformation, and this became the focus of a recent study published by the journal New Mandala. Ahead of Donald Trump and Boris Johnson’s controversial wins, we had already elected President Rodrigo Duterte after a campaign rife with false information deliberately spread as news.

Unfortunately, the situation has worsened, with Duterte’s win emboldening more people to spread disinformation. Online trolls have proliferated greatly—once the realm of paid individuals with unscrupulous principles, disinformation and fear-mongering on social media are now executed by entire marketing firms employed to influence the political landscape.

In light of this, the coming 2022 elections will not only decide who the president is, they will also show if our democracy can withstand this new form of dirty politicking.

Read more about the rise of the disinformation machine on our website.