Former Vice President and broadcaster Noli De Castro affirmed his stance that Meta and content creators should bear the responsibility concerning the dissemination and flow of information online, highlighting the rapid spread of fake news.
During the House Committees on Public Order and Safety, Information and Communication Technology, and Public Information (Tri-Committee) hearing on Tuesday, April 8, the broadcaster said public figures have fallen victim to fake news and deepfakes. He also mentioned the inevitable advancement of technology, specifically generative artificial intelligence (AI).
“Yung pinsala na dulot nito ay hindi lamang po sa aming mga personalidad, and even to you congressman, kundi para sa pagkalahatan sa publiko na nakababasa, nakakakita , at nakakapanood po nito,” he said.
“Kailangan ng sabayang pag-kilos para sa education ng publiko at sa aming media practitioners para mamulat dito ang mas nakararami tungkol sa masamang epekto ng fake news sa ating bansa at sa ating demokrasya,” he added.
The former vice president emphasized that as a media personnel, he is fortunate to have the means to fact-check the information he sees online. However, he highlighted that it poses a great risk for ordinary citizens who do not have the means to validate the information.
During his interpellation, Zambales 1st District Jefferson Khonghun bared several false information that circulated online about De Castro. One is the quote card on former President Rodrigo Duterte’s arrest.
False News About the Broadcaster
A Facebook post alleged that De Castro stated that Duterte did not push for the war on drugs to kill, but to save lives.
Fortunately, De Castro said that he has the means to correct such news when they are on air. He can also verify the news about him through his social media accounts and ask his friends to share his post online so that the information reaches others.
“Sa newscast naco-correct naman namin ito…hindi ako masyadong naaapektuhan kapag ganito. Masuwerte lang kami dahil mga broadcaster kami, [pero] kung pag-uusapan yung pangkaraniwang tao, ‘yun ang madaling maapektuhan at wala silang means, wala silang source, para ma-correct kaagad yung lumabas na fake news,” he said.
Although broadcasters have the resources to verify news, De Castro worried about the ordinary citizens who do not have the same resources and fall victim to such practices.
There was also a time when news about his sudden passing spread online. Khonghun asked the broadcaster how he reacted when news about his passing had spread online.
“Well sabi nga nila, kapag nabalita na patay kayo, ay mas hahaba ang buhay niyo. Isa sa ho, sabi namin, kaming mga personalities at bad news or good news ay publicity pa din po. Kung may ganyan ay pag-uusapan pa din kayo,” De Castro said in response.
“May mga news naman na medyo masakit na. Lalo na kung affected na ang ating bansa. Kung ako lang, okay lang ‘yon. Pero pag affected na ang bansa, iba na ‘yon,” he added.
Despite this, De Castro stated he was unable to report the post, nor was he able to find out who began spreading the false information online. According to him, it was only recently that he found out that posts like that need to be reported for companies to take action against them.
De Castro’s Take on Meta and Content Creators
According to the broadcaster, Meta should be held responsible for the spread of fake news online, as it can affect other people’s lives.
“Opo, naniniwala ako doon. Naniniwala din akong negosyo ito. Pati na sa mga vlogger kaya sila na-engganyo na mag vlog dahil kumikita sila. Aminin na natin, huwag na tayo maging hipokrito dito. Pati na ang Meta, alam naman ‘yon. Negosyo ho nila ‘yon,” he stated.
For the journalist, content creators, or individuals who post online aren’t the only ones who should be held accountable, but also Meta, as they are responsible for the flow and dissemination of information on each platform.
“Sila ang means para maipakalat [ang posts online], wala namang iba [na platforms pa]...Naniniwala ako na yung Meta ay malaki ang responsibilidad,” he said.
