Philippine media urged to step up fact-checking efforts

MANILA, Philippines — The head of an international fact-checking initiative has called on Philippine media organizations to strengthen their efforts to verify information, especially those circulating online.

“It’s no longer enough to consider ourselves the record of what happened,” said Alexios Mantzarlis, director of Poynter Institute’s International Fact-Checking Network (IFCN).

“At a time when we can get informed not just through traditional media, not just through reputable sources but with stuff coming from all directions, reputable media organizations need to take that extra step and help readers distinguish fact from fiction,” he said.

Mantzarlis last Friday met with representatives of different Philippine media organizations to encourage more fact-checking initiatives in the country.

In an interview with The STAR following the discussion, he said more organizations worldwide are showing great interest in fact-checking initiatives.

While fact-checking is considered a significant component of journalism, Mantzarlis said changes in the environment – particularly the political landscape – have resulted in the need to institutionalize efforts to fact-check content.

“The complete obliteration of the role of the media as a gatekeeper has led very much to this. Information comes at us in all directions,” he said.

“There have also been politicians finding audiences directly and… being therefore able to spread all this information very broadly. The ecosystem has changed dramatically and that has led for greater need for fact-checking,” he added.

Launched in 2015, the IFCN aims to bring together fact-checkers worldwide and promote best practices and exchanges in this field.