Yvonne Chua, a professor at UP College of Mass Communication and investigative journalist, has highlighted the detrimental effects of “fake news” on public trust in the media. Following the May 9, 2022 elections in the Philippines, Tsek.ph reported on the rampant spread of disinformation regarding vote tallies and candidate disqualification, particularly on social media platforms like Facebook, often propagated by supporters of presidential candidate Ferdinand Marcos, Jr.
Tsek.ph, a collaborative initiative led by UP Diliman’s Department of Journalism alongside 34 other institutions, was established to combat increasing disinformation affecting democratic health and informed citizen decision-making. Initially launched in 2019, it conducts rigorous fact-checking; in 2022, it found that out of 131 materials regarding political candidates, 84 were false, 21 required context, and 19 were misleading.
In addition, UP’s sa Halalan project provides voter education and political analysis, partnering with Tsek.ph for the May 2023 elections and expanding its reach across various UP campuses. Active in the 2022 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections, UP sa Halalan disseminates information through social media and expert appearances on national news programs.
This initiative is rooted in a long-standing commitment to voter education, having begun in 2012 in collaboration with COMELEC and media partner ABS-CBN. Over the years, it has evolved to engage with additional media outlets and institutions to improve public engagement and political literacy.
As upcoming elections approach, organizations like Tsek.ph and UP sa Halalan continue their essential work, focusing on providing reliable information to combat the pervasive challenges posed by misinformation in both online and offline contexts.
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