By Darryl John Esguerra
MANILA – Nine of the country’s biggest newspaper publishers on Wednesday threw their support behind the Presidential Communications Office’s (PCO) intensified campaign against fake news, signaling a unified front between government communicators and legacy media in defending fact-based public discourse.
At the launch of Oplan Kontra Fake News at the Kalayaan Hall in Malacañang, the publishers of Business Mirror, BusinessWorld, The Daily Tribune, Malaya Business Insight, Manila Bulletin, Manila Standard, The Manila Times, Philippine Daily Inquirer, and The Philippine Star signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the PCO to strengthen efforts against disinformation and misinformation.
The move comes amid rising concern over the speed and scale of digital falsehoods amplified through social media algorithms and artificial intelligence tools, developments that media executives warn pose real risks to democratic processes and public trust.
In his speech, PCO Secretary Dave Gomez said fake news threatens public welfare and undermines democratic institutions.
He stressed that a healthy democracy depends on an informed public anchored on verified and accurate information.
Gomez said the partnership with established broadsheets aims to enhance the spread of verified information, rebuild public trust and promote media literacy and critical thinking.
He added that the PCO has set up an Anti-Fake News Desk where citizens can report suspicious content for evaluation and possible action by concerned agencies.
The PCO will also coordinate with digital platforms such as Meta and Google to address coordinated disinformation campaigns.
Gomez emphasized that the campaign is not a war on words but a defense of the people’s right to truthful information while upholding press freedom.
Media leaders echoed the stance, with former PCO Secretary Herminio “Sonny” Coloma Jr., now publisher of Manila Bulletin, expressing solidarity with the Office of the President and the PCO.
Coloma said protecting the integrity of public discourse is a shared responsibility of government communicators, media institutions and citizens.
Anna Marie Ang-Thompson, chief executive officer of The Manila Times, said newspapers now serve as both storytellers and shields against the flood of misleading digital content.
She said trust remains the foundation of journalism and that cooperation strengthens their ability to serve the public.
Paolo Prieto, president and CEO of the Philippine Daily Inquirer, said fake news and propaganda amplified by social media and artificial intelligence pose serious risks to democracy.
He noted that surveys show many Filipinos view fake news as a major problem yet struggle to distinguish it from accurate information.
T. Anthony Cabangon, publisher of Business Mirror, also expressed full support for the initiative, saying fake news can damage lives, reputations, businesses and institutions. (PNA)
