News spreads more quickly than ever now. And the biggest item in the cycle is everything COVID-related.
However, not all information and news circulating online are true. Some are sensationalized, made up, or have no evidence to back their claims, thus causing confusion and unnecessary panic.
Health secretary Francisco Duque III earlier asked Filipinos to stop sharing false information on COVID-19 at a briefing in Malacañang. “Kahit saang anggulo po natin tingnan, wala pong kabutihang ginagawa ang inyong mga fake news na ikinakalat. Sayang lang po ang panahon natin (No matter which way we look at it, there’s no good that will come out from spreading fake news. It only wastes our time),” said Duque.
Spreading unverified reports is dangerous; it can be life-threatening especially when people fight over bananas because a “report” said it can cure COVID-19.
A messaging platform offers the following ways to help prevent the further spread of fake reports and misinformation.
Know the official authorities
Instead of getting news from questionable sources, check with government agencies and organizations battling the virus, as they have firsthand information on developments, confirmed cases, and important advisories.
Locally, the Department of Health is the lead government agency handling COVID-19 efforts, working with the Philippine Society for Microbiology and Infectious Diseases. The department also works alongside international institutions like the World Health Organization and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Follow these agencies’ official accounts, not just those social media posts that use their names and logos to spread misinformation.
To help spread legitimate updates on the virus, the DOH created a Viber Community to disseminate latest news and information. To follow the group, search DOH PH COVID-19 on Viber. Aside from sharing helpful infographics and important statements on COVID-19, DOH is also using the Viber community to debunk fake information circulating online.
Make sure the source is credible and real time
Always verify where an article or piece of information comes from. Top news organizations have Viber Communities and official social media pages which anyone can follow to get guaranteed credible stories and announcements as they happen.
Keep an eye out for red flags
Pay attention to the quality of writing. Fake information almost always have bad grammar, spelling errors, and excessive punctuation, since they’re usually written by independent parties with no journalism training, institutional backing, or fact-checking resources. Also look at what the story is actually reporting: Is it a stated claim from a medical organization, or is it a personal anecdote based on hearsay? Don’t trust a message about COVID-19 just because it was sent by a friend whose tito works at a hospital. They might mean well, but if it’s not verified, it’s not news, it’s tsismis.
Don’t let emotions take over
Ask yourself what the goal of an article is. Is it to induce panic and uncertainty, or to inform? Was it written by a credible reporter? Was it published on a site with a strong track record of reporting? When determining whether an article is fake, it’s usually best to take a step back and look at things more objectively. Don’t get caught up in the flurry of stories on your feed or chat group.