In this century, where innovations and advancements in technology are prominent, there are also issues and problems that come along with it. As technology continues to develop, social media plays a significant role in educating and voicing the concerns of millions of people. Social media can be associated with a double-edged sword. We benefit from accessing information quickly, and there is no limitation on who we can connect with. It is a way of interacting with other people to share thoughts and ideas. However, what will happen if the information we are getting is no longer truthful? It is truly necessary to be aware and vigilant of the things we see online and confirm these first before believing in them. Indeed, fake news has its negative effects on building a sense of nationalism among Filipinos.
Fake news refers to stories that are false, wherein the story itself is fabricated, with no verifiable sources, quotes, or facts. In line with this, nationalism is the sense of unity among citizens. It is a movement that promotes a nation’s best interest and is greatly affected by the spread of fake news in the country. In building our sense of nationalism, we have to be united as citizens, and our democracy shouldn’t be tainted.
Incidentally, the media is often accused of spreading fake news. There is growing evidence of attacks on media credibility and a sharp increase in the number of journalists imprisoned on false news charges (Lees, 2018). In the Philippines, President Duterte labeled a particular media outlet as “fake news” and even announced that he would revoke said media’s operating license. This is alarming since the President had no evidence for such accusations and felt personally attacked by the published articles of the media outlet, which caused his outburst. These attacks on press freedom impact society at large. It is the job of the media to report necessary and relevant information to the people, helping them see and understand the happenings in society. According to Civicus (n.d.), when authorities discredit the media, disagreements happen between citizens, which may result in protests and violence. These fake news accusations against media will prevent Filipinos from strengthening their sense of nationalism since they are fighting their own fellowmen, which is contrary to the essence of nationalism, which is to create unity among citizens.
Aside from this, sharing fake news is not only limited to the media. A lot of trolls on social media are beginning to multiply, and the number of people who actually believe in this fake news is troubling. This is because people are believing more in this fake information rather than credible sources, and they make decisions based on false assumptions (Quilinguing, 2019). One example of this situation is the Digong Duterte Supporters (DDS). As the pandemic continues to take its toll, these supporters keep on creating heated arguments on social media. They keep on sharing false information about other politicians who disagree with President Duterte’s actions. On the other hand, it also finds its way to affect democracy in the Philippines. Since social media is a way for Filipinos to have a voice, with the presence of fake online accounts, they can be silenced by the latter. They may manipulate public opinion to favor the interests of a particular group (Quilinguing, 2019). In this case, the oppressed remain oppressed, and they lose their freedom to express their sentiments. This prevents people from building their nationalism as they are being deprived of their freedom to speak their minds and it causes conflicts in society, contradicting the meaning of nationalism in terms of having unity.
Another impact of fake news that spreads through misinformation is its role in constructing stereotypes and further discrimination among particular sectors of society. Grambo (2019) stresses that fake news is divisive as it may negatively portray ethnic or religious groups as people who are unworthy of citizenship or they may even dehumanize these individuals. In the Philippines, there are existing dueling groups: DDS and “dilawan.” Just because some people do not agree with the actions done by the President, they are immediately labeled as such. In addition, these groups often exchange hurtful and personal attacks with each other. Fake news is usually the reason why both groups battle each other, which in turn widens the gap between them. These situations only add fuel to the existing problems in society, and people would have no unity since they do not consider their fellowmen as their equals. This makes it harder to build nationalism among themselves, as its essence is to create oneness among citizens and uphold the democracy of each individual.
Moreover, the international perspective on fake news highlights its profound implications. In a global context, fake news can influence elections, create social unrest, and even affect international relations. For instance, the spread of misinformation during election periods can lead to the election of candidates who might not have been chosen if the public had access to truthful information. This undermines the democratic process and can lead to widespread dissatisfaction and protest.
Furthermore, the economic impact of fake news cannot be overlooked. Businesses can suffer from fake reviews and false claims about their products or services, leading to loss of revenue and reputation. In the worst cases, fake news can cause stock prices to plummet, affecting investors and the economy at large.
In the educational sector, the spread of fake news poses a significant threat to the integrity of information. Students and researchers rely on accurate data to build their knowledge base. When fake news infiltrates this sector, it compromises the quality of education and the validity of research findings.
To combat fake news, several strategies can be employed. Media literacy programs can educate the public on how to identify and avoid fake news. These programs can be integrated into the school curriculum to ensure that future generations are equipped with the necessary skills to navigate the complex information landscape.
Social media platforms also have a role to play in curbing the spread of fake news. They can implement stricter policies and use advanced algorithms to detect and remove fake news. Collaboration between governments, tech companies, and civil society is essential to create a comprehensive approach to tackling this issue.
Ultimately, nothing good comes out of spreading fake news. It will greatly impact how news is presented, how decisions are made, how people are treated, and it facilitates discrimination among Filipinos. To reiterate, it cannot be denied that social media has greatly benefited us in our daily lives. However, as fake news continues to progress, we must always check the credibility of the information we read before we believe it. We must inform and educate others as well if they become victims of this false information. To start, we should stop encouraging the spread of fake news.
2020-9-21-1600675349