We are now living in a time where we can almost do everything with just a click away. From paying bills, sending messages in real time to people who are thousands of miles away, transferring money across different accounts, and even booking a flight. Also, in just one-click, we can have access to thousands of information. In just a second, a search engine can provide us multiple information about a certain topic from different websites. We are living in a very convenient time where we can easily access whatever information we need. However, with a lot of information lay before us, how can we discern what to believe and not?

With the enormous amount of data and information today, we cannot consider everything that we read or hear is useful or even true. Information is a powerful tool especially that we are now on an information-driven world and almost everyone has access to it. This made some groups or individuals to take advantage of these information and use it for their own agenda. Majority of the population today has their own social media account, this is the reason why a lot of “fake news” is circulating specifically in the virtual world or social media because in that way, certain groups or individuals can easily influence people. PennState University Libraries define fake news as, “Sources that intentionally fabricate information, disseminate deceptive content, or grossly distort actual news reports.” (PennState University Libraries, 2019).

We can describe our country today as being in a deep political divide where people can brand you as either part of the opposition or an ally. It seems like you cannot criticize either of the two group without being branded. Certain groups control information channels for their own good. By taking control of the data and information, they can control people’s knowledge and perception on a certain topic or issue. Not being able to discern what is accurate information or news from what is not can lead to a lot of problems. First, it hinders the people to know the real issue and condition of the country. Second, it worsens the political divide of the country, this is because the so called “followers” of each opposing groups are confined only to the ideas that are consistent with their beliefs and they were being brainwashed by the fake news that can be found easily on several social media platforms. Third, fake information can influence one’s perception of a certain issue that can lead him/her to consequential decisions.

In the education sector, there are some ways where I think we can contribute in addressing this problem. Stopping fake news totally from reproducing and stopping groups from making one is something which is hard and the best thing that I think we could do is to influence other people to be critical in choosing what information to believe in.

First, we have responsibility over the students. Youth, which comprises a big part of the population in the country, and who are very much familiar with different social media platforms, it is important for them to develop critical thinking and question the validity of the information that is being presented to them. This will be possible by conducting seminars for the students on how to identify reliable sources and fact check information. Several years from now, the youth today will be the next leaders and public servants of our country so it is important that their beliefs and principles must not be distorted by fake information. Aside from seminars for students, a program about anti-fake news campaign can also be done in schools to be led by student leaders.

Second, it is not only the students who need to be aware of false information and its consequences, educators need to be informed too. This can be possible by integrating topics on identifying and validating sources in one of their training. We can conduct Teacher-Adviser Training Program, this is a seminar for advisers of student leaders in schools. Once they became aware of false information and they already know how to discern what is a legitimate news from what is not, they can influence other students, their fellow teachers and even their relatives and friends.

Third, influencing or educating others can be done even in a not formal way like seminars or trainings. It can be done even in a simple or casual talk. I think this is one method that I think we could use to influence our colleagues, friends and family members regarding this issue. We can talk to them casually about the legit sources of news and information. Even not physically, we can influence others through the help of social media by sharing different information in our accounts like websites that are known to be sources of fake news, how to identify fake information, as well as how to fact check information.

Solving the issue of the proliferation of fake news in the country will never be easy. In fact, there’s no national issue that can be resolve instantly. But if Filipinos can only realize that we have the ability and potential to change our country, Philippines would be a better place. We need to empower and influence each other and take a hundred small step until we reach our goal. Amidst all the lies and fake information that surrounds us every day, we need people who have a genuine love for the country and willing to propel change, one step at a time.