President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. called on journalists to help provide the public with accurate information amid the prevalence of online misinformation, while stressing that the media should not compromise its role of holding those in power accountable.
Speaking at the Foreign Correspondents Association of the Philippines (FOCAP) Presidential Luncheon in Manila on Friday, Marcos acknowledged that journalists should not be beholden to the government and that disagreements between the two are part of a functioning democracy.
‘The government and the media may not always agree, nor should they. But our shared interest remains the same: the pursuit of truth,’ Marcos said in his opening remarks.
‘I enjoin you in sustaining a Bagong Pilipinas where democracy is strengthened by citizens who are informed, discerning, and free,’ he told FOCAP members and other journalists attending the event.
Marcos said journalists remain invaluable allies in combating fake news and disinformation, which he warned could fuel polarization and weaken public discourse.
The President also expressed particular concern over children’s exposure to misinformation and harmful content through social media.
‘Technology is now integrated into our daily lives, yet it has also exposed young people to harmful content and distorted realities at an age when critical judgment is still developing,’ Marcos said.
He stressed the need to create a safe environment ‘where children can learn and grow without compromising their well-being.’
Marcos said his administration is pursuing digital literacy initiatives, modernizing cybersecurity systems and promoting the holistic well-being of Filipinos as part of efforts to address the problem.
The government has also launched Oplan Contra Fake News.
‘We launched Oplan Contra Fake News to protect the public from disinformation and hold its purveyors accountable,’ Marcos said.