The University of the Philippines (UP) Visayas hosted the kickoff of the #FactsFirstPH series of roadshows in the provinces on Oct. 6 at the Graduate and Continuing Education Building (GCEB) Training Rooms 1-3, Iloilo City campus.
About 300 participants from various sectors, mostly composed of college and high school students from different Iloilo-based universities and schools, attended the public forum organized by #FactsFirstPH, UPV, the Division of Humanities (HumDiv), UPV-based student organization iWrite, and Daily Guardian.
According to Rappler, #FactsFirstPH is the first of its kind whole-of-nation approach to address disinformation by aiming to cultivate a healthy information ecosystem that amplifies facts and promotes a nuanced conversation about urgent issues that the public needs to know through the series.
The discussion from the panel revolved around topics on ethical utilization of digital media and artificial intelligence (AI).
The panelists included Ms. Gemma Mendoza, Rappler Lead Researcher on Disinformation and Platforms; Asst. Prof. Katherine Valencia of the UPV HumDiv; Atty. John Molo, UP Law Professor; Atty. May Castillo, Regional Information Officer of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD)-6; and Mr. Ted Aldwin Ong, Vice Chair of the Iloilo Media Citizen Council.
A portion of the attendees also participated in the workshop that followed after the talks, with topics on basic internet law and digital hygiene and safety training.
The same participants were involved in the action planning for the #FactsFirstPH initiative to conclude the two-day event.
As part of the #FactFirstPH launch, UPV signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Rappler to strengthen collaboration through communities of action partnership around the shared advocacies of the two parties to fight disinformation and promote civic engagement.
Some of the highlights of the MoU include the promotion of facts-based discourse and a healthy information ecosystem through #FactsFirstPH; human rights and good governance and awareness of disaster preparedness principles and effective disaster response; and journalism education programs and other initiatives.
Mendoza and UPV Chancellor Clement Camposano signed the MoU on behalf of their respective parties. Present to witness the signing were Dr. Zoilo Andrada, Jr., HumDiv faculy member and iWrite adviser, and Ms. Jene-Anne Pangue, Rappler Senior Community and Civic Engagement Specialist.
For his part, the Chancellor said the University commits to the initiative at a time when there is mass disinformation and manipulation.
“I think it’s important that we make an earnest effort to understand the challenges and really see how we might better manage this technology and how we might, not only keep ourselves safe from it, but also weave that technology into the fabric of everyday life,” he said. (With reports from Rappler)
