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[av_heading heading=’Penalize Facebook, how?’ tag=’h3′ style=’blockquote modern-quote’ size=” subheading_active=’subheading_below’ subheading_size=’15’ padding=’10’ color=” custom_font=”]
BY RHODA GARZON CAMPILLAN
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Thursday, February 2, 2017
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SENATOR Francis Pangilinan figured in another controversy. He wanted Facebook penalized for the proliferation of fake news.
Filipinos raised their eyebrows and asked, how?
In GMA News Online, Pangilinan said, “More than being an online platform, Facebook may be described as a de facto media company or publisher that should be responsible and accountable for the content it distributes and allows to be distributed, in order to protect the national discourse from fabricated and false news.”
Pangilinan also filed Senate Resolution 271. This action aims to determine whether there is a need to revise Republic Act 10175 or the Cybercrime Prevention Act.
The article further disclosed that the Philippines has 59.2 million internet users, 22 million allegedly participated online through Facebook during the May national elections.
My personal view on this is first, Senator Pangilinan said the Philippine has 59.2 million internet users; how in the world will you be able to check and edit all FB posts?
We must remember that information in FB and other social media platforms are user-generated. It is very difficult to monitor all posts that practically change in a matter of seconds.
Perhaps, others would suggest developing an algorithm to automatically ban fake posts. However, what are the parameters to consider a post as fake? It is easier said than done, right?
If all things fail, summon Mark Zuckerberg in the Senate. I bet even the CEO of FB is still trying to figure out how to stop all of these.
It is impossible as of this point to police the posts that appear on Facebook. It is like looking for a needle in the haystack.
But I am not a pessimist. In fact, I appreciate Senator Pangilinan for raising this issue because fake news is already alarming. The increase of internet trolls is disturbing. There are many people who actually believe that information from trolls is true.
In class, I always teach my students to be truthful in all the information they release because information is vital. It could break or make a nation. As communicators, they have the responsibility to write and report credible and accurate information all the time.
Now going back to the plan of the good Senator…there are more important issues to discuss in the Senate. I am not saying the influx of fake news is not significant. It’s just that there are more pressing issues that need attention.
Why don’t they study first the implications of their actions? Lay out the plans very carefully. Empower the Senate Committee on Media and Communications headed by Sen. Grace Poe to look into the nitty-gritty of this issue. Get the cooperation of media organizations to help finalize the plans.
In one way or another, they are victims of trolls and fake news. Trolls, sometimes, use logos of media organizations and pretend that the information come from them, even if they were the ones who prepared it.
Furthermore, if all areas have been covered, it is high-time to put this in the open. Senators could start to amend Republic Act 10175 or the Cybercrime Prevention Act. Include sections that deal with social media trolls and fake news and information. This is after careful planning and thorough discussions.
I agree with Senator Pangilinan that the cyberspace is a tool for development and not a tool for sowing dissent and virulent tribalism. However, there is so much work to do. May lawmakers be firm in saying that they want to change the landscape of cyberspace. I hope this would not be lip service. Concrete actions must be taken to start achieving a harmonious and peaceful social media./PN
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