Despite the risks of covering an unprecedented health crisis, journalists continue to perform their duty of reporting the truth.
Last January 30, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared a state of global health emergency due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. As of writing, Johns Hopkins Hospital’s case tracker has recorded over 3.5 million cases worldwide, 9,485 of which are in the Philippines.
As COVID-19 cases have surged across the world, so has disinformation. According to WHO, the spread of COVID-19 has “been accompanied by a massive ‘infodemic’ – an overabundance of information – some accurate and some not – that makes it hard for people to find trustworthy sources and reliable guidance when they need it.”
While journalists continue to bear the responsibilities of searching and reporting the truth, serving as watchdogs against injustices, holding authorities accountable, and stimulating debates on social issues, they have also become susceptible to the risks of fighting said infodemic.
In its 2020 World Press Freedom Index, Reporters Without Borders noted that the Philippines “use[s] the weapon of disinformation on social media.” Cyber-troll armies linked to President Rodrigo Duterte, which are said to be “disseminating fake or maliciously edited content and fake memes, conducting targeted harassment campaigns,” are also recognized to be among the “Worst Digital Predators of Press Freedom” this year.
In this digital age, more Filipinos are relying on social media for news and information. Journalists not only have to report stories, but also to verify shared information.
The fight against false information is made more difficult by the unreliability of certain government officials and websites. As pointed out by Danilo Arao, UP journalism professor and associate editor of Bulatlat, the Philippine News Agency used a misleading headline for an article about the state of Philippine General Hospital health workers. Arao also mentioned the inaccurate data and questionable scientific claims shared by House Speaker Alan Cayetano, former Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo, and Senator Manny Pacquiao.
The complexity of the science involved and the constantly evolving situation also add to the challenge of covering this pandemic.
Journalists must tread carefully in these times, especially given the recently implemented Bayanihan to Heal as One Act which legalizes the fining and imprisonment of those who are found perpetrating or spreading false information.
Further restrictions on movement have been imposed by policies of the enhanced community quarantine. Besides these physical limitations, all media outfits were required to obtain special passes from the Presidential Communications Operations Office for COVID-19 coverage. However, these passes were limited and priority was given to those belonging to mainstream media organizations.
The situation pushed journalists to verify their stories through other sources such as social media. This makes their work harder and riskier because critical reportage can so easily be dismissed as rumor or fake news. And just like Joshua Molo, editor-in-chief of UE Dawn, and Linn Ordidor, an overseas Filipina worker in Taiwan, those critical of the government have also been vulnerable to cyber libel charges.
Yet every day, journalists do what they can to provide much-needed context in these trying and uncertain times.
In celebration of World Press Freedom Day, the UP Journalism Club invites the public to stay critical and vigilant in our fight against disinformation. We call on all Filipinos to stay strong in the defense of press freedom so that journalists may continue to report the truth, hold powers accountable, and aid the people in overcoming this crisis.
