“We need to be connected in the right way, in the right manner.”
So said University of the Cordilleras President Ray Dean Salvosa when he delivered the opening remarks at the 5th National Communication Research Conference last Thursday at the UC Theater.
Salvosa addressed more than 700 students, faculty, and practitioners from all over the country, the United States, and Australia who converged in Baguio City for the Philippines’ largest communication research gathering.
Plenary and parallel sessions were held over two days (Nov. 23 and 24), with pre- and post-conference workshops held Nov. 22 and 25.
Salvosa pointed to the Internet as a tool that provides access to “the best and noblest ideas” of the world, but that has also “enabled people of ill-will to sow hate and distrust.”
With some social media mavens having overturned the traditional rules of engagement in public discourse, Salvosa said, “The rules of civility and good conduct were discarded with the advent of the Internet… ‘Alternative facts’ and ‘fake news’ have replaced the search for truth. Objective facts…have been superseded by virulence.”
“Sadly,” he said, “credible commentators and journalists are slowly being replaced by paid trolls…who put down institutions and individuals” who espouse opinions contrary to their agenda.”
In the hands of such, he added, social media has become “the tool of brainwashing and mind control…it has radicalized the way we communicate with each other…it allows bad elements of society to stalk” their adversaries “and infect the democratic space” with vicious and virulent content that pushes “the limits of decency.”
Salvosa said that the purpose of the NCRC should be to “reverse that trend.”
University of the Philippines-Baguio Chancellor Raymundo Rovillos, who also delivered welcome remarks, pointed to the significance of communication and technology in the proliferation of ‘fake news’. We must “interrogate this technology,” he said, “because it is causing problems like ‘fake news,’” and that this “must be challenged by the academe.”
Keynote speaker Rep. Mark Go (Baguio City) said that the words ‘fake news’ “do not belong together. News needs to be true. If it is fake, it is not accurate and should not be called ‘news’ at all.”
“Misinformation abounds,” Go elaborated, “and people take action on erroneous frames.” He said that Congress will be looking into legislative measures to control the spread of ‘fake news.’
His challenge to the conference participants was to “help by educating people about ‘fake news’” and “rebuild faith in our media.”
The ‘fake news’ phenomenon and its alarming spread is a societal issue that also impacts the communication and media community. Some communication researchers are presently studying its various manifestations.
In her opening remarks, NCRC Convenor and UP-Diliman College of Mass Communication Dean Elena E. Pernia described the smartphone and Internet as “disruptors and innovations” that for millenials are “instruments of daily use” that have radically changed how we interact with each other.”
As Salvosa made clear in his remarks, these innovations can be used for both noble ends—learning the best and brightest ideas from around the world—and dishonorable purposes —such a spreading misinformation.
Misinformation, according to an online source, is “false or inaccurate information, especially that which is deliberately intended to deceive.” That definition describes a significant percentage of what we call ‘fake news’. Using the Internet to disseminate lies and exaggerations to manipulate public attitudes is a misuse of an innovative tool used daily by millions.
Is there a solution to the problem of ‘fake news’? There will be communication scholars who will do their part by researching the phenomenon. However, propaganda has been around since man first created societies and developed opposing agendas.
Drawing from the messages of Salvosa, Rovillos, and Go, perhaps the answer can be found in one thing—education. Teaching the public how to discern fake from factual and why doing so is important would help, and so would further discussion about the issue in public discourse.
Academe is part of the effort. Everyone is part of the effort. Whatever is ‘fake’ is not the truth and so does not reflect reality and will not help people make good decisions. Ultimately, the fight against misinformation is also the fight for truth.
Dr. Ortuoste is a California-based writer. FB: Jenny Ortuoste, Twitter: @jennyortuoste