The Presidential Communications Office (PCO), in collaboration with the Philippine Information Agency (PIA), Probe Productions Inc., PressOne.Ph, PhilStar, and FYT Media, hosted a two-day workshop designed to empower government communicators with essential fact-checking skills in today’s fast-evolving digital landscape.
In her welcoming remarks, Director-General Katherine Chloe S. De Castro said that the PIA and its regional offices “are all here for this activity to equip [them] with essential skills for navigating today’s complex media landscape, focusing on critical thinking and information evaluation, to effectively combat misinformation and disinformation.” She stressed that mindful online behavior enables individuals to make informed choices, safeguard their personal information, and foster a safer, more responsible digital space.
This workshop, a key element of PCO’s Media and Information Literacy (MIL) campaign, brought together communication professionals, information officers, regional directors, and media practitioners to explore ways of tackling the challenges posed by misleading and false information online. The event provided practical tools and methodologies to effectively identify, analyze, and counter false news.
Topics tackled the anatomy of disinformation, revealing the strategies behind creating and spreading fake news. Participants learned practical skills to identify false information through a Media Literacy 101 session, which included hands-on techniques for spotting fake news.
Another key session explored how fabricated stories are designed to sway public opinion. By emphasizing ethical information sharing, advanced fact-checking, and teamwork, the workshop empowered attendees to combat misinformation and foster a more media-savvy society.
In her keynote address, PCO Assistant Secretary for Digital Media Services Patricia Kyle Martin emphasized the significance of the campaign in shaping a more informed, critical-thinking citizenry. “As you know, the PCO’s Maging Mapanuri has always envisioned a critical thinking society, and we approach this mission on multiple fronts. So ngayon, kasama natin sa PIA at yung mga kasama natin sa state media, yung PTV, IBC, Radyo Pilipinas,” Martin said.
