Truth versus rage bait

The spread of misinformation is accelerating and we cannot afford to stay passive. It must be confronted before it further distorts truth and causes real harm to a public that may unknowingly trust what is fed to them by purveyors of fake and false news.

In my last column, I wrote about a well-meaning public safety message on solar panels that was completely twisted on social media. In less than a week, it was transformed into a web of falsehoods, intentionally repackaged as “rage bait.” It became a stark and frustrating example of how social media can be weaponized: facts are distorted, emotions deliberately inflamed and ultimately, audiences were misled.

Social media pages and accounts of questionable origin suddenly emerged, aggressively targeting Meralco and even myself – pushing the absurd claim that we are “enemies of the sun” and opposed to solar energy. It was preposterous, ridiculous and baseless, yet alarmingly, it was proliferated.

This is not the first or even the most blatant example of rage bait online. There is more content out there with deeper and more troubling intent, stirring not just anger but fear and division.

As a senior citizen who has seen how information used to be handled with greater care, I find this especially concerning. What we are witnessing is not just a passing trend. It is a symptom of a much larger problem. Disinformation has grown into this coordinated, highly profitable industry and one that thrives on confusion and exploits the trust of ordinary people.

A 2025 Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey found that 59 percent of Filipinos believe the spread of fake news on the internet and social media is a serious problem. The survey also revealed that 65 percent of respondents find it difficult to determine whether information they watch, hear, or read on television, radio or social media is fake, highlighting the increasing challenge of navigating today’s information landscape.

If we truly want to cut through the noise, we must look beyond individual fake or false news posts and examine the system that amplifies them: the social media algorithm. After all, these platforms operate on business models built to capture and hold our attention. And nothing does that more quickly or more powerfully than heightened emotions, especially anger.

When an algorithm detects content that provokes strong reactions such as outrage or fear, it quickly pushes that content to thousands of other feeds. The system does not distinguish between what is true, fair or completely fabricated. What matters is engagement: clicks, comments, shares and the amount of time users stay on the platform.

In such an environment, a careful, nuanced explanation about public safety or public policy has little chance of gaining traction. It is simply too dull for the algorithm. Meanwhile, a sensationalized rumor designed to inflame emotions takes center stage, even when it lacks context or is entirely false.

When fake news is weaponized this way, the consequences go far beyond simple misunderstanding. It erodes our ability to trust anything. It makes us cynical toward experts, skeptical of legitimate warnings and increasingly divided. When every issue is reduced to an “us versus them” shouting match, meaningful solutions become even harder to achieve.

It is for this reason that the issue is now receiving more attention at the national level. On April 10, the government, through a formal letter addressed to Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg, called on Facebook to strengthen its efforts in curbing the spread of fake news on its platforms, recognizing that misinformation can pose real risks to public order.

Encouragingly, DICT Secretary Henry Aguda expressed that Meta is “in full support of the initiative,” signaling a shared responsibility between platforms and institutions in addressing this growing concern.

At the same time, government officials have reminded the public of the important role we all play. House Speaker Faustino “Bojie” G. Dy III also called to stop the spread of fake news and pointed out that does not help solve our country’s challenges. Instead, it only distracts and undermines efforts to address the real issues we face.

So how do we tell fact from fiction? How do we gain a clearer, fuller understanding in a time when so much of the media we consume is not only questionable, but also crafted to provoke emotion?

Media literacy has become essential in helping the public navigate today’s complex information environment. It teaches us how to spot fake news, including deepfakes, how to check and verify sources and how to better understand the context behind what we see and hear.

This is why we must begin strengthening media literacy education not only in schools, but also in professional settings and corporate organizations. In doing so, we empower individuals to make sound, informed decisions in an increasingly digital world.

On a personal note, I have been a strong advocate of media literacy through THINKaMuna Pilipinas – the media and information literacy initiative of Manuel V. Pangilinan-led MediaQuest Holdings Inc. It encourages Filipinos to think critically, recognize credible sources and engage responsibly online. Simply put, THINKaMuna reminds us all of a very timely lesson: think first before believing what we encounter on the internet.

At this stage in life, many of us have come to appreciate the value of wisdom, patience and discernment. These are exactly the qualities we need in today’s digital space. Cutting through the noise is no longer an individual task, it is a shared responsibility. It is a choice we must make, not only for ourselves, but for the generations that will inherit the world we help shape today.