The Presidential Communications Office (PCO) has called on digital content creators to become active partners in nation-building and to uphold the values of truth, responsibility, and patriotism in their work, amid growing concerns over the spread of fake news and disinformation online.

During the resumption of the House tri-committee hearing on fake news and online disinformation on Thursday, PCO Secretary Jay Ruiz reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to supporting legislative efforts aimed at curbing the spread of false information in digital spaces.

“We continue to advocate for truthful, responsible, and patriotic communication,” Secretary Ruiz said. “We call on all digital content creators to be partners in nation-building, not purveyors of disinformation.”

The PCO’s push for responsible digital engagement is in line with the directive of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to combat misinformation and disinformation in the wake of rapidly evolving digital technologies.

Secretary Ruiz emphasized the detrimental effects of fake news, misinformation, and malicious online behavior, noting that these digital threats not only harm individuals but also erode public trust in democratic institutions.

He noted that the PCO is actively working with a broad range of stakeholders to address these issues and is prepared to assist Congress in crafting effective and responsive legislation.

Ruiz cited international examples such as the European Union’s Digital Services Act (2022) and Singapore’s Protection from Online Falsehoods and Manipulation Act (2019), both of which implement regulatory measures and platform accountability to combat the spread of harmful content online.

“We hope to have a similar law in the Philippines to fight fake news,” the PCO secretary said. | PND