The Presidential Communications Office (PCO) partners with VERA Files in a collaborative series of training to combat misinformation and disinformation and to further strengthen media literacy within state-run media outlets.

The training series entitled “Siguraduhing Totoo: A VERA Files Fact Checking and Online Verification Training” aims to enhance the skills of the state media fact-check officers across the nation: in Luzon on February 13-14, in Visayas on February 20-21, and in Mindanao on February 27-28.

Participants will include FCOs from regional units of state media outfits such as the People’s Television Network Inc. (PTV), Radyo Pilipinas, Intercontinental Broadcasting Corporation (IBC), Philippine Information Agency (PIA), and the Philippine News Agency (PNA).

VERA Files, an independent non-profit media organization and a signatory to the International Fact-Checking Network, will facilitate the workshops, providing their expertise at no cost to the PCO. As outlined in the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA), VERA Files will not receive any monetary compensation for conducting these training sessions, underscoring their commitment to combating misinformation and disinformation across all media platforms and segments of society.

This partnership marks a significant step in strengthening a transparent and independent fact-checking mechanism within state media. It also aligns with the government’s ongoing ‘Maging Mapanuri’ campaign to promote media literacy and combat misinformation.

The training will focus on equipping fact-checkers with the necessary skills to navigate complex information issues, fostering resilience against misinformation in the digital age.

The PCO remains dedicated to advancing digital literacy and ensuring the public receives accurate, credible information. ###