Phnom penh: The Presidential Communications Office (PCO) brought its anti-fake news campaign to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) stage, presenting its strategy against misinformation and disinformation at a regional media workshop in Phnom Penh, Cambodia from Aug. 26 to 27.
According to Philippines News Agency, PCO Assistant Secretary for Private Media Arthur Los Ba±os outlined the country's approach during the workshop, which was organized by Cambodia's Ministry of Information. The event, titled 'Minimizing the Negative Impacts of Digital Transformation in Traditional Media,' focused on sharing strategies to combat digital misinformation.
The Philippine strategy involves a combination of media partnerships, inter-agency coordination, law enforcement, and media literacy. This campaign was formalized on March 4 through a memorandum of understanding between the PCO and nine national newspapers. The agreement aimed to strengthen cooperation in fighting false information and protecting the integrity of news and truth.
Further collaboration was established on April 13 with an agreement that included the PCO, Department of Justice (DOJ), and Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT). This partnership aims to enhance the monitoring, investigation, and prosecution of purveyors of fake news and disinformation.
Los Ba±os also highlighted the PCO's efforts to improve the public's ability to critically assess information. These efforts involve training and workshops for educators, journalists, and government communicators. The campaign has progressed into enforcement, with the PCO referring eight Facebook accounts and a website to the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) for investigation over alleged fake news and false information.
The latest referral, filed on Aug. 13, involved a Facebook page posing as a satirical news platform and a website falsely advertising a PHP30,000 Department of Health medical assistance program. The PCO stated it will continue to monitor and refer verified cases of deliberate disinformation, especially those affecting public safety, government programs, and national interest.
The two-day workshop, attended by representatives from eight ASEAN member states, concluded Thursday.
