Government backs law vs fake news
MANILA, Philippines — A measure seeking to prohibit the dissemination of fake news will be supported by Malacañang.
“Even if we ask those who are not from the Palace, we would want fake news to be banned,” Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary Claire Castro said yesterday at a press briefing.
Striking a balance between curbing false information and respecting freedom of expression requires fake news to be defined, Castro noted.
“What’s the limitation? How can they gauge that statements will be considered as fake news?” she pointed out.
Castro said she had suggested the registration of content creators, which would help prevent the spread of fake news.
Former Senate president Vicente Sotto III earlier said he would push for a bill declaring fake news as illegal if he wins in the May midterm elections.
Sotto is part of the administration-backed coalition Alyansa para sa Bagong Pilipinas.
“As of now, we do not have a definition of ‘fake news,’ especially since we are in social media, we are now digital. We have to study that. Lawmakers have to study that,” Castro said.
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