“Seeing is believing” is perhaps one of the most undisputed idioms associated with truth. When information about certain people or events is raised, we search for confirmation through visual elements, such as photos or videos. No matter the circumstance, when an unexpected or grand event occurs, we always want to see it with our own eyes. But what happens when the certainty that was once guaranteed with visual media online can be fabricated and manipulated? How do we distinguish facts from opinions?
A group of vloggers were invited to testify before the House Tri-Committee hearing earlier this week, with lawmakers dissecting each of their posts related to former President Rodrigo Duterte’s war on drugs and the victims of the extrajudicial killings (EJKs); The subject of the hearing: misinformation and disinformation.
For the media-hungry public, information should come in an instant. However, experts warn them to be wary of the particulars they consume. Speaking at an exclusive interview at Isyung Pambayan on Sunday, March 23, VERA Files President Ellen Tordesillas and the Manila Standard Managing Editor Joyce Pañares break down the basics of recognizing the three information disorders: misinformation, disinformation, and malinformation.
Mis-Dis-Mal information, What’s the Difference?
According to Pañares, three types of information disorder exist: misinformation, disinformation, and malinformation. It’s important to know how to distinguish the three, as our response to each data seen online would vary based on the type of information disorder posted.
“Mahalaga rin na alam natin kung alin, kasi yung response natin doon sa nagkamali o pagkakamali, nag-iiba din,” Pañares said.
Pañares clarified that the biggest distinction between the three is an individual’s intention. For example, misinformation is spread without the intention to deceive others. She added that it spreads by getting the facts wrong.
“Halimbawa, gumising ka today, umuulan, tumingin ka sa Facebook, [ng] #WalangPasok. Yung nakita mo is three years ago pa. Shinare mo siya pero wala kang intensyong magpakalat ng mali. Nagkamali ka lang talaga,” she explained.
In contrast, disinformation is false information deliberately used to mislead or manipulate the narrative. Pañares expounded that an individual or group would intentionally share incorrect information due to an underlying objective.
“Pero pag disinformation and malinformation may intent ‘yon. Meron siyang intention. Alam niyang mali pero ishe-share pa rin niya kasi mayroon siyang objective na gustong mangyari,” she said.
To simplify the term, Pañares said the easiest way to understand disinformation is to imagine someone screaming that the cinema was set ablaze while inside the premises, despite knowing that it isn’t true and would cause a stampede.
Meanwhile, she said that malinformation is a bit tricky to identify. Pañares mentioned how a piece of factual information can be taken out of its original context to cause a stir.
It may be a quote or statement from a public figure which was misused, to harm, mislead, or manipulate.
How They View Fake News
Amid the ongoing fight against information disorder, Tordesillas mentioned that being part of an organization with an institutionalized role in fact-checking false information in the country, they refrain from using the word “fake news,” as they associate the word news with factual reporting.
“Sa atin kasing mga journalist pag sinabi nating news, dapat totoo. Kasi kapag hindi ‘yan totoo, hindi [na] yan news [o] balita, chismis [na] ‘yan. Kaya kapag nilagyan mo ng modifier na fake, parang hindi tama,” she emphasized.
“Parang nababawasan yung halaga ng news na mahalaga sa ating mga journalist. Ina-avoid namin gumamit ng word na fake news kaya lang laganap na kasi. Ang ginagamit namin ay disinformation, misinformation, tsaka malinformation,” she added.
She cautioned the public to refrain from spreading fake news, as it is fueled by lies disguised as the truth.
Social Media Drawbacks and Citizen Journalism
Although social media is now where people share and consume information, Tordesillas and Pañares acknowledged that it has benefited the Filipino community. According to Tordesillas, everyone has access to the internet. Individuals can even talk to their relatives and friends abroad in real time.
Meanwhile, Pañares highlighted the emergence of “citizen journalism,” or the collaborative and participatory type of journalism. This is an alternative form of news gathering and reporting, wherein people aren’t just consumers or spectators, but can also be creators and contributors.
Pañares specified that this is beneficial in times of calamities. Not all reporters can immediately identify places that are severely affected. However, people in nearby areas can.
“You would agree with me, nagkaroon tayo ng citizen journalism. Maganda yung intent non, yung tipong pag mayroong sakuna, hindi naman natin nahuhulaan so hindi tayo yung naandon. Yung mga ordinary citizen, sila yung kumukuha ng photos, videos, na ipapadala sa atin,” she said.
Through social media, ordinary citizens can contribute to informing others about the situation in their locations. However, just like any material, it also has its drawbacks.
Social media is accessible for anyone, Tordesillas said. This means anyone can post and share information online, regardless of social standing. According to the former, this may be one of the problems with modern technology, as anyone can deliver stories online even without proper training.
And while information is consumed and shared in real time, it spreads rapidly.
“Yung ipo-post mo ngayon, kalat kaagad ‘yan. Hindi katulad yung sa atin sa [journalism na] ibibigay muna yung balita natin sa desk, aayusin ng desk, ive-verify bago ilalabas [ang balita],” she explained.
Moreover, the internet has no geographical barriers, so people from overseas can also see your posts.
According to Tordesillas, reporters include their names during reports to ensure accountability. They can easily trace its source and justify the report if need be. On the contrary, when an anonymous person disseminates information online, it would be challenging to verify where the details came from.
Therefore, this social media attribute can be abused and used by people for harmful intentions.
“Breaking News” Stories
Aside from social media drawbacks from ordinary citizens, Pañares also pointed out how complex and sometimes challenging it is to verify the photos and videos posted online. She explained how materials can now be manipulated and edited through artificial intelligence (AI) to produce convincing but fake images, videos, and audio recordings.
“Ngayon, unang-una, mahirap na kapag ang source mo ng balita [ay] social media. Kasi dati sinasabi natin, “photos or I don’t believe it.” Ngayon nakita mo na yung photo, hindi mo pa rin mapaniwalaan kasi pwede na manipulate yung photo. Videos, pwede na rin magkaroon ng deepfake. Medyo mahirap kapag puro social media or online yung sources,” Pañares said.
This also poses another challenge for journalists, as news sites often race to social media to share “breaking news” stories. Pañares cautioned about this, stating that it should be confirmed and validated before posting. According to her, cyber libel should not be taken lightly, and she advised that people be careful of what they report online.
“Lalo na sa news websites, ang labanan nila “breaking news,” at kadalasan, magkamali ka lang post, ay iuupdate mo na lang later. Pero again, as media, aware na aware tayo na halimbawa ang cyber libel law, hindi excuse ang nag-update ka. Kasi isang screenshot lang ‘yan, alam na nila agad na kanina, one hour nakababad yung mali mong balita. Kaya very careful tayo sa mga nirereport natin,” she emphasized.
After all, one’s freedom of expression and speech are not absolute. She maintained that people must be held accountable, especially if it harms others and puts national security at risk.
