Disinformation or spread of ‘fake news’ on vaccines is one of the biggest problems that government agencies, journalists, and educators need to address during the COVID-19 pandemic.
To address wrong information on vaccination programs and help in the initiative to fight disinformation, Radio Libertas the only education radio station in the eastern part of Pampanga joined hands with UP Fact-checking Lab.
The community radio operated by Holy Cross College broadcasted the “Bakuna o Baka nga: COVID-19 Vaccination and Fact-checking Bootcamp” in collaboration with UP Fact-checking Lab and Bulacan State University last March 19.
Different schools across the Philippines joined the webinar to work for truth and reliable information during the health crisis. The Chair of Department of Journalism, the University of the Philippines Diliman, and project manager of the fact-checking initiative Prof. Lucia Tangi emphasized that information could save lives.
“We decided to push ahead in this bootcamp even with this heightened protocols natin ngayon. Habang dumadating ang bakuna, dumadami rin naman ang misinformation and disinformation on the vaccine eventually people are hesitant to have the vaccine because of the false information,” Prof. Tangi said.
The bootcamp will be a two-day activity that includes the presentation of students on their fact-check articles on March 26.
The right information can save lives
As part of this global effort to counter false information, the Department of Health as the focal agency that handles the health crisis also launched different programs like the KIRA, the KontraCOVID Messenger Bot where social media users can message to verify the information.
The head of the Program Implementation and Outreach Division of the Department of Health, Dr. Alfonso Regala mentioned that spread of disinformation affected the decision-making of Filipinos on the vaccine.
Dr. Regala explained the work of the agency from research to planning, procurement of vaccines, deployment, and prioritization of the vaccination program.
The national government worked hand-in-hand with the Local Government Unit (LGU), Rural Health Units, public hospitals, and other government health facilities to conduct the vaccination program.
There is also a strict implementation to the prioritization of the vaccine this includes medical front liners, senior citizens, and persons who are vital in serving the health crisis.
The health expert also emphasized that all registered individuals under the vaccination program will undergo screening before the inoculation. Dr. Regala said people who received the vaccine will also be under monitoring for at least 12 months.
He also debunks false information on the efficacy rate and effectiveness of the vaccines. Writers, journalists, and students must rely on verified sources to get accurate information. Press releases and information from the companies must not be taken outright and must also consult other health experts to avoid misleading the public.
Dr. Regala encouraged participants to share the right information and save lives.
Students can also fact-check
Fact-checking is considered an established practice as newsrooms and media outlets joined the fight to disinformation, but the youth, students, and social media users can also do their share.
The webinar emphasized that not only journalists can do fact-checking but also students. The boot camp offers a platform for students to hone their skills and knowledge as well as present their fact-check articles.
Philippine Star journalist, Janvic Mateo shared tools, strategies, and techniques to debunk disinformation and misleading content they encounter online or across social media platforms.
Fact-checking in time of COVID-19 can help not just social media followers but also family, friends, and the community.
“While we see the spread of false information on social media to those who have internet access, we also have reports on false information spreading in the community. Importante na we realize na hindi lamang social media ang labanan natin sa pag-address ng false information but also in our community. Minsan it’s in our families who are not on Facebook or Twitter and puwede tayong makatulong sa kanila sa pagpapakitang information sa kanila and try to reach out to them it is every important,” Mateo said.
“When we talk to our family or other people puwede nating bring up ang information to correct false information, huwag kayong matakot,” he added.
Mateo reminded students that identifying false information is very important in fact-checking. Some online users didn’t notice they are already disseminating ‘fake news’ because it also evolves and appeal to true information. Youth must also be cautious on false content, manipulated content, satire, or deep fake.
In fact-checking, there are simple ways on how to spot ‘fake news’ through the use of Google Tools and Google Fact-check explorer. Mateo also suggested that students must be adept in using reverse image search and video debunker which they can download even in their smartphones.
Some ways to fact-check are to verify the source of information, check the credibility of the source, search if other media outlets reported the topic, and search for errors like grammar, spelling, and designs.