IN THE WAKE of rampant misinformation about former President Rodrigo Duterte’s arrest and case at the International Criminal Court, Ilonggos are being reminded once again of the importance of public vigilance against digital deception. Iloilo governor Arthur Defensor Jr.’s timely call for caution is a reminder of how vulnerable communities can be in an era defined by rapid, unchecked information flow, especially on social media.
The fabricated claims and manipulated narratives that spread recently — most notably fake endorsements and statements attributed to foreign leaders like US President Donald Trump — demonstrate just how swiftly disinformation can escalate, causing confusion, division, and unnecessary panic. Misinformation does not merely mislead; it actively undermines trust in legitimate news sources, weakens democratic dialogue, and endangers social cohesion.
As Governor Defensor pointed out, unlike mainstream media which operates under regulations and accountability standards, social media is largely unregulated. While this freedom facilitates open dialogue, it simultaneously grants anonymity to unscrupulous individuals who spread lies with minimal consequences. The challenge, therefore, lies not merely in identifying misinformation, but also in proactively rejecting and refuting it.
The public bears an immense responsibility in this information age. Individual users must develop critical skills to discern legitimate information from falsehoods. This means verifying news/information from multiple reliable sources before sharing, remaining skeptical of emotionally charged content that seeks to provoke reaction rather than inform, and taking personal responsibility to educate others in their circle about the dangers and identifying characteristics of misinformation.
Schools, local governments, and civic groups in Iloilo should intensify education campaigns promoting media literacy and critical thinking. It’s time to integrate digital literacy into educational curricula, teaching young people to navigate online platforms responsibly and thoughtfully.
Ultimately, collective vigilance remains our strongest defense against disinformation. While regulating the online landscape remains challenging, our combined awareness and proactive responsibility can serve as an effective shield. Digital deception thrives in ignorance and complacency; by remaining vigilant and well-informed, we diminish its destructive potential.
Digital deception is a threat, but it does not have to define our communities. Let us take the lead by being discerning consumers of information and committed stewards of the truth.
