The National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP) has urged the public to remain cautious on opinions posted on social media.
"Kailangan po nating tignan parang with caution yung ganitong content dahil wala namang accountability," NUJP chairperson Jonathan de Santos told DZRH.
(We need to look at these contents with caution because there is no accountability in them.)
He said that the post, as well as the person who published his or her take on social media, should be looked at critically.
"Isa po yan sa nilalaban natin, na pag titingin po tayo ng information, pag titingin tayo ng mga post, alamin din natin kung sinong nagsasbi," he said.
(That is one thing we’re fighting for, that when looking for information when looking for posts, we need to know who said them.)
According to de Santos, it must be checked if the person publishing his opinion is independent or is part of a coordinated network because the latter could make an impact on discourse.
"Nakakakulay po ito, nakaka-influence ito ng opnions online at medyo delikado po ito sa diskurso at demokrasya," he said.
(It can color, influence opinions online and this could be slightly dangerous to discourse and democracy.)
However, he said that if the person is independent of such groups, then it is their right to lament over grievances online.
"We also have to recognize na may mga sentimiyento rin naman ang public na minsan mailalabas lang nila anonymously, kasi siyempre, delikado nga rin," he said.
(We also have to recognize that there are sentiments from the public that they can only share anonymously because it’s dangerous.)
De Santos made the remarks amid the proliferation of misleading information on social media, especially ahead of the 2022 elections.
