Battling the fake news 'infodemic'
Published Mar 11, 2020 12:00 am
Like COVID-19, fake news is a disease. It seeks to spread misinformation, causing fear and confusion.
Social media is one of the primary sources of fake news. It starts with one person or a group who generates false information and infects others who sees them, which is then spread through word-of-mouth and by clicking that “Share” button.
These past few weeks social media has provided an overabundance of information on COVID-19. False information such as garlic or drinking hot water can cure COVID-19. Technology and e-commerce company, Amazon, has banned over a million products with false claims on COVID-19 cures and health guides.
Fake news originators rely on people’s gut instincts and fear, triggering them to share information as fast as possible. Some originators are a little smarter, going the extra mile to add logos from reputable organizations, or create fake accounts as platforms, and sometimes those are enough to convince people that it’s “valid.”
On top of everything, since “coronavirus” and “COVID-19” are big searches, fake news has led to cybersecurity concerns. As people search for news updates on the virus, hackers managed to setup fake websites, intent on installing malicious content onto people’s devices.
Facebook, Google, and Twitter are working on removing fake news and other misinformation about COVID-19. But it takes a community to combat an epidemic.
We reached out to PMAJ Victor Ben Isidore D. Aclan, Assistant Chief, RFSO MIMAROPA, on matters about COVID-19-related fake news.
“I believe that spreading fake news could actually aggravate the present situation and makes it harder for the government and the health workers to contain and address the COVID-19 virus,” Aclan said. “It creates unnecessary panic, which results to chaos and more problems to our people. It also spread hate as we can see and hear some members of our community are now developing xenophobia. Hate and panic can solve nothing but can make the situation even worse.”
Aclan said you can spot and identify fake news by fact checking and validating sources. This means, if you read something, do further searches on different websites. And of course, make sure those sites you visit are reputable ones. In the case of COVID-19, the CDC and the WHO websites are among the top sources of information you should trust.
You can also make sure that website has the “Padlock” icon right beside its web address as that increases the site’s validity. If on social media, make sure there are blue checkmarks, which signifies that those are official accounts representing the reputable company.
“Fictitious sources who usually uses pseudonyms in their articles usually spread fake news. Trust only in reliable sources like well-established news agencies and official government pages,” Aclan said.
Aclan said the Philippine National Police (PNP) has a dedicated unit called the PNP Anti-Cybercrime Unit to fight against these persons or organizations promoting the spread of fake news.
There are also pertinent laws that punish the spread of fake news as well such as RA 10951 which amended certain provisions of the Revised penal code:
SEC. 18. Article 154 of the same Act is hereby amended to read as follows: "ART. 154. Unlawful use of means of publication and unlawful utterances.- The penalty of arresto mayor and a fine ranging from Forty thousand pesos (P40, 000) to Two hundred thousand pesos (P200, 000) shall be imposed upon: "1. Any person who by means of printing, lithography, or any other means of publication shall publish or cause to be published as news any false news which may endanger the public order, or cause damage to the interest or credit of the State; "2. Any person who by the same means, or by words, utterances or speeches shall encourage disobedience to the law or to the constituted authorities or praise, justify, or extol any act punished by law; "3. Any person who shall maliciously publish or cause to be published any official resolution or document without proper authority, or before they have been published officially; or "4. Any person who shall print, publish, or distribute or cause to be printed, published, or distributed books, pamphlets, periodicals, or leaflets which do not bear the real printer's name, or which are classified as anonymous."
“I personally consider the internet as one of the greatest inventions in the modern age,” Aclan said, when referring on how people use the internet. “It has made our world connected and made information available in just a simple click on your browser. However, it is also the modern-day Pandora's Box, which unleashes beasts and great chaos when used for the wrong purposes.” Aclan advises that, “We don’t have to be the first to share or first to comment. But we should always be sure of the things and facts that we read and share. Think before we click as others says it.” He adds, “People are usually drawn towards being part of a bandwagon or tends to get too excited about the things they read and see on the internet. What is hip or trending has become the gospel truth nowadays some forgets to validate, counter check or even ask the simplest question, ‘Is this true?’”
SEC. 18. Article 154 of the same Act is hereby amended to read as follows: "ART. 154. Unlawful use of means of publication and unlawful utterances.- The penalty of arresto mayor and a fine ranging from Forty thousand pesos (P40, 000) to Two hundred thousand pesos (P200, 000) shall be imposed upon: "1. Any person who by means of printing, lithography, or any other means of publication shall publish or cause to be published as news any false news which may endanger the public order, or cause damage to the interest or credit of the State; "2. Any person who by the same means, or by words, utterances or speeches shall encourage disobedience to the law or to the constituted authorities or praise, justify, or extol any act punished by law; "3. Any person who shall maliciously publish or cause to be published any official resolution or document without proper authority, or before they have been published officially; or "4. Any person who shall print, publish, or distribute or cause to be printed, published, or distributed books, pamphlets, periodicals, or leaflets which do not bear the real printer's name, or which are classified as anonymous."
“I personally consider the internet as one of the greatest inventions in the modern age,” Aclan said, when referring on how people use the internet. “It has made our world connected and made information available in just a simple click on your browser. However, it is also the modern-day Pandora's Box, which unleashes beasts and great chaos when used for the wrong purposes.” Aclan advises that, “We don’t have to be the first to share or first to comment. But we should always be sure of the things and facts that we read and share. Think before we click as others says it.” He adds, “People are usually drawn towards being part of a bandwagon or tends to get too excited about the things they read and see on the internet. What is hip or trending has become the gospel truth nowadays some forgets to validate, counter check or even ask the simplest question, ‘Is this true?’”
Aclan has provided his own Anti-COVID-19 tips:
C - Cooperate with the government and your community health workers. Trust in them, they are sacrificing their own safety to protect everyone. O - Observe proper hygiene and healthy lifestyle to boost immune system. V - Validate information. Avoid fake news and don't help spread them. Fake news spreads hate, disinformation, and panic, all of which we don't need right now. I - Implement preventive measures: Wear your face masks. Stay away from people with symptoms and if possible, avoid public areas and unnecessary social gatherings/interactions. D - Disinfect to stay protected. Wash your hands properly. Use sanitizers and clean your belongings and surroundings. "We are stronger than this virus if we stay together as responsible members of our community. We only lose this battle if we lose our humanity and stop caring for each other."