Teach to fight fake news, journos urged

(Matikas Santos giving his talk during the Journalism Society General Assembly at the University of Santo Tomas. Photo by Julius Villavieja, Dapitan Post)

A multimedia journalist has emphasized the importance of educating people on fake news to combat its proliferation, saying it’s more effective than going head-to-head with internet trolls.

Matikas Santos, a multimedia reporter from the Philippine Daily Inquirer, told student journalists on Tuesday that the best way to stop the spread of fake news and internet trolls is to educate the people.

“Teaching people how to spot fake news, how to fight fake news is a better weapon than going against those who make fake news themselves,” he said in an interview with Dapitan Post.

He emphasized that journalists should empower others, carry the responsibility of educating the people and spread awareness for prevention.

“[You are empowered] and you are also empowering others. We have networks of people and [our] main goal as journalists is to empower others--educate them, talk to them, teach them,” he explained at the general assembly of Thomasian journalism students.

How do trolls work?

Santos defined ‘internet trolling’ as an expression of hatred or anger on social media.

“[I]t is about expressing your hate against something, expressing anger at someone. Parang naninira ka. That kind of culture of ranting online against something, against someone, is a factor in why some trolls, [and] the idea of trolls propagate,” he said.

Santos cited Eric Caruncho’s article “Confessions of a troll,” which explains how trolls have proliferated in the Philippines through an organized system.

“This setting, ‘yung troll na kinausap niya, was part of [something like a] call center operation. So imagine, isang malaking kwarto, puro tayo nasa keyboard, nasa computer and becoming trolls against somebody, against someone. So it became a professional, organized system,” he said.

While some are blatantly becoming trolls to earn money, Santos said normal users who bash others on social media are unintentionally becoming trolls.

“Remember, sa Filipino culture we have crab mentality, hihilahin mo ‘yung iba pababa. And nagiging outlet is social media,” he said.

‘Be critical and open-minded’

Santos ended the talk with a reminder that journalists should be critical thinkers, especially at this time of fake news and online trolls.

He said: “[It is] not simply accepting the things that you see online, not simply accepting the ideas fed to you or you see.”

He emphasized that it is important for journalists to be open to different opinions.

“[Y]ou have to think about whether it is true or not. But the point is, open-minded ka, hindi ka close minded na di ka na tumatanggap ng alternate views,” he emphasized.

The Journalism Society’s 85th general assembly was held at the Albertus Magnus auditorium. The event was inspired by the 90’s American TV sitcom Friends, with the theme of ‘Journ Empowered.’ BEA LAFORGA and MILDRED MIRA