𝗡𝗘𝗪𝗦 | 𝗣𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗢𝗻𝗲𝗣𝗛 𝘀𝗽𝗲𝗮𝗸𝗲𝗿 𝗲𝗺𝗽𝗵𝗮𝘀𝗶𝘇𝗲𝘀 𝗷𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗻 𝗿𝗼𝗹𝗲𝘀 𝗮𝗺𝗶𝗱

We are in an imitation game where the winner takes democracy.

Keynote speaker Niceforo Vince "Nikko" Balbedina III, multimedia editor of PressOnePH, quoted as he tackled the difference between journalists and false information peddlers during the 13th edition of Peryodistalks, "Nosi Ba Lasi: Identifying Journalists and Journalism in Disinformation Era," broadcasted live on PUP Journalism Guild’s Facebook page via Zoom on Friday, December 16.

"Nakakalungkot na sa sitwasyon ngayon, kapag pinag-uusapan natin kung paano mag-identify ng mga trustworthy na sources, para na lang tayong naglalaro ng isang imitation game, kung saan ‘yung mananalo, will take control of the democracy," Balbedina discussed.

"Kasi hindi natin maide-deny na ang demokrasya natin ay nakasalalay lamang sa kung paano tayo magdedesisyon bilang publiko–at bilang publiko, mas maganda kung lahat ng decisions natin is based on an educated opinion na makukuha natin kung alam natin ang katotohanan."

Balbedina elaborated upon his experience of fact-checking on several social media platforms, especially TikTok, where he met different misinformed netizens that cannot recognize journalists at a glance, to the point of even questioning his reliability among other reputed sources such as ABS-CBN and Rappler.

𝗕𝗮𝗹𝗯𝗲𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗮: 𝗝𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗻𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘀𝘁𝘀 𝘀𝗵𝗼𝘂𝗹𝗱 𝗱𝗶𝘀𝗰𝗲𝗿𝗻 𝗱𝘂𝘁𝘆 𝘃𝘀. 𝘁𝗿𝗼𝗹𝗹𝘀

Balbedina complained about some citizens' inability to distinguish truth from lies in the age of disinformation, citing his experience with ad hominem, in which he discovered people tend to believe what is popular rather than what is factual.

However, he pressed that instead of blaming the victims of disinformation; it is crucial for journalists to learn how to become identifiable instead by capturing aspects of obligation, loyalty, and accountability.

"So para malaman natin kung ang journalist ay nagsasabi ng katotohanan o kung ang journalist ay reliable journalist nga, dapat alam natin ang kanilang obligasyon, ang kanilang loyalty, at kung mayroon ba silang accountability," he expounded.

To elaborate, the editor emphasized the difference between vloggers and journalists during an era of free speech where information is accessible outside the press, stating that unlike citizens, journalists have an obligation to deliver only the truth for the public good.

"Ang mga nagpapakalat ng false information, bihira ninyong makikita kung sino ‘yang mga yan. Sa Facebook, kung may makita kang false information, false claim, anong makikita niyong nakasulat sa baba? CTTO, si tito," Balbedina remarked.

"Kapag accountable tayo sa ginagawa natin, sa nilalabas nating information, binibigyan natin ang mga citizens ng trusted at fact-based information. Tapos, binibigyan din natin sila ng pagkakataon, binibigay natin sa kanila ‘yung tiwala na mag-decide for themselves."

The editor even raised the ongoing case of the late broadcaster Percy Lapid, pressing on the essence of accountability which led to the murder of the latter. On that note, accountability in news reporting is an important aspect that makes journalists who they represent in the community, he added.

Still, Balbedina concluded that providing the truth for the masses gives them a fighting chance against the dangers of society; as future journalists, he reminded COCians to remain brave against the threats journalists face nowadays.

PressOnePH is a verifiable independent news and information website that aims to cover news and opinion for both Filipino and global audiences. They have gained traction as an up-and-coming news agency, following several other independent news media organizations, by posting several fact-checking videos on social media platforms, mostly during the recent elections.

Article: Marc Nathaniel Servo

Graphics: Kayceline Alfonso