MANILA, Philippines — Broadcast media groups in the Philippines have partnered with telecommunications giants for a media literacy program.
MediaQuest and the Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster ng Pilipinas (KBP) have partnered with telco giants PLDT and Smart Communications to combat disinformation through a media and information literacy advocacy program.
The ThinkAMuna Pilipinas campaign will be implemented as part of the election coverage programs of MediaQuest and KBP members.
For MediaQuest, the media alliance of News5, One News, One PH, Radyo5 TrueFM, The Philippine STAR, BusinessWorld, The Freeman and Pilipino Star Ngayon will cover the May 2025 midterm elections through its Bilang Pilipino 2025 program.
These media organizations will share news and information to help Filipinos fight against the expected wave of fake news.
PLDT and Smart will assist in disseminating information among its customers.
Surveys show up to 80 percent of Filipinos get their news online, particularly through their cell phones.
“The first fundamental step to counter this threat is to ThinkaMuna – to stop and think and do not mindlessly click, like and share,” said MediaQuest and PLDT chairman Manuel V. Pangilinan.
“Media and information literacy is important not only during elections. It will help each person be more effective day to day and this will ultimately be for the benefit of our people,” he added.
KBP chairman Ruperto Nicdao said they are facing “an increasingly complex media landscape fraught with rising risks of disinformation.”
“But what is heartening is the increasing efforts of media organizations to join hands in fighting this menace,” he said.
ThinkAMuna Pilipinas will initially focus on reporting false or misleading news circulating online or in traditional media.
In the long term, the advocacy will strive to enhance the critical thinking skills of Filipinos so that they can better evaluate information and promote responsible online behavior and digital citizenship.