By Rowena dela Fuente-Deimoy
Eagle News Service
(Eagle News) – The Australian ambassador to the Philippines has expressed alarm over the spread of fake news in social media.
In an Interview with NET 25’s “Liwanagin Natin,” Ambassador Gorely said fake news is a destructive phenomenon especially as it has significant implications affecting everybody.
Ambassador Gorely advised social media users to always question the veracity of the information that they read or see in social media.
“It is really alarming development, people should always question what read or see in social media and how to get to the truth of any matter, it can be really destructive phenomenon it it leads to consequences that lead significant that had significant implications to all” said Gorely.
During the interview, Ambassador Gorely stressed the role played by mainstream media to make government officials accountable, getting to the bottom of a situation by uncovering factual information.
Supporting mainstream media, she said, is one way of tackling the phenomenon of fake news.
“I have great respect for the mainstream media and the role that you guys play in holding government to account but also in getting to the bottom of situation and uncovering the real news, facts. And so I think we need to support our mainstream media, support the freedom of expression, and the freedom of the press that both Australia and Philippines enjoy and that is one way of tackling the phenomenon of fake news” she said.
At the Philippine Senate, a resolution is being pushed to probe and uncover the people who are using the social media to spread fake news, as well as the spread of propaganda materials
NOTE: Please watch Weng dela Fuente’s interview with Ambassador Amanda Gorely at Liwanagin Natin on Friday, from 9 to 10am on NET 25 and Radyo Agila DZEC