Editorial: Fake news peddler

FUNNY how Malacañang is up and arms on the decision of social media site Facebook to tap news entities Rappler and Vera Files as third-party fact-checking program.

This is to intensify efforts in stopping the proliferation of fake news and disinformation in the social media platform.

Rappler and Vera Files are certified members of non-partisan International Fact-Checking Network of Poynter.

With their partnership with Facebook, the news sites will review articles that are being shared on the social media platform – check the facts and rate their accuracy.

The flagged articles will be less visible on the Facebook news feed.

With this development, it doesn’t sit well with the administration supporters and of course, the national government.

Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque Jr. pointed out: “There are those who are complaining that the chosen police of the truth, so to speak, are sometimes partisan themselves. And of course, this is the problem with the truth that can be subjective, depending on your political perspective.”

He added: “And that is why I commiserate with those who object to the selection of Rappler and Vera files because we know where they stand on the political spectrum.”

The Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) would also raise its opposition to Facebook.

Facebook has already started the crackdown on sites peddling fake news and false information. Most sites that are being blocked by the social media giant are favorable of the administration.

No less than the government officials are spreading fake news, misleading the public and firing up supporters and trolls to go against the media.

The proliferation of fake news online is slowly killing real journalism.

Any dissent is branded an enemy and threat to democracy.

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