MANILA, Philippines — Three committees of the House of Representatives will launch this week a joint investigation into the rampant spread of fake news and massive disinformation campaigns on social media platforms.
The joint panel will be led by the House committees on public order, public information and information and communications technology headed by Sta. Rosa City Rep. Dan Fernandez, Agusan del Norte Rep. Jose Aquino Jr. and Navotas Rep. Toby Tiangco, respectively.
Fernandez will preside over the first executive briefing today.
Among the objectives of the hearings is to “expose the people behind the massive disinformation machinery.”
Fernandez stressed the urgency of addressing disinformation, emphasizing its detrimental effects on national unity, public order and democratic processes.
Other key issues to be tackled are the transparency of social media platforms in identifying and removing false information, the enforcement of accountability measures against repeat offenders such as irresponsible vloggers and influencers and the broader impact of disinformation on national security, particularly in relation to the West Philippine Sea dispute.
The House inquiry will likewise focus on the dangers fake news poses to ordinary Filipinos, especially the youth and marginalized sectors who are most vulnerable to cyberbullying and online harassment.
“Filipinos have all the right to know the real truth, and we should protect our fellow countrymen against the massive disinformation being passed around that only creates confusion, and further polarization in our society as a whole,” he said.
The briefing will bring together representatives from major social media platforms to shed light on their policies and accountability measures in combating fake news, cyberbullying and harmful content.
House lawmakers also aim to scrutinize the effectiveness of these platforms in curbing disinformation and to identify legislative gaps that need to be addressed.
Fernandez warned that those who spread lies and manipulate information for personal or political gain will be held accountable.
“We will not let this system go unabated, where Filipinos are always being fooled. It’s about time we act and uncover the truth, so that we can go after the perpetrators of these lies being spread around obviously for their own selfish interests only,” he said.
Lawmakers are expected to push for stronger policies that will ensure social media platforms implement stricter safeguards and penalties against violators. Fernandez warned fake news peddlers, vowing that Congress will act decisively against them.