The House of Representatives invited at least 40 social media personalities as resource persons in its probe on Tuesday on the spread of ‘fake news’ and disinformation.
Laguna Representative Dan Fernandez said the investigation is aimed to protect the public from misleading content that creates fear and division.
Fernandez will preside over the hearing under the House “Tri-Comm” — composed of the committees on public order and safety, public information, and information and communications technology.
Most of the invited resource persons are pro-Duterte vloggers composed of Sass Sassot, Lorraine Badoy, Jeffrey Celiz, Banat By, Jay Sonza, Vivian Velez and Maharlika.
“Hindi natin hahayaang gamitin ang social media upang linlangin ang ating mga kababayan. Panahon na upang ipatupad ang mas mahigpit na batas upang labanan ang fake news at misinformation,” Fernandez said in a statement.
It is not yet clear if those invited vloggers are to be asked about their contents or about their insights on the subject issues.
Fernandez who has been a recent favorite target of negative online memes said the inquiry aims to identify weaknesses in existing digital policies and propose stricter measures against misleading information.
Representatives from Google, Meta (Facebook) and Tiktok are also invited to the probe.
Abner is an award-winning journalist. He received the prestigious 2015 Titus Brandsma Award for Community Communication in the Philippines and participated in the 2016 International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) of the United States of America, sponsored by the US Embassy in the Philippines. Founder of WATCH NORTH COTABATO, a media-citizens’ transparency group. He worked as a correspondent for the Philippine Daily Inquirer and CNN Philippines. His experience in broadcasting includes anchoring for Brigada News FM in Kidapawan and General Santos City and Brigada News TV. He anchors Tira Brigada via 105.1 Brigada News FM Manila, Mondays-Saturdays.