House superpanel sets fake news probe Feb. 18
The House of Representatives’ tripartite committee has set its second public hearing on Tuesday, Feb. 18, to tackle show-cause orders issued to at least 28 social media influencers and vloggers who failed to appear in a House inquiry on the spread online of fake news and disinformation.
Sta. Rosa City Rep. Dan Fernandez, tripartite committee overall chairperson, stressed the importance of holding digital influencers accountable for their possible role in spreading misleading content.
The tripartite committee—made up of the committees on public order and safety, on information and communications technology, and on public information—was created to look into the growing threat of online disinformation and fake news.
“We are not suppressing free speech. We are investigating whether social media is being used to mislead the public, undermine institutions, or facilitate foreign disinformation,” Fernandez said.
The tripartite committee has warned that noncompliance with its show-cause orders for failing to appear in the Feb. 4 hearing, could result in further legal action, including the issuance of subpoenas and the filing of contempt charges.
Social media influencers and vloggers who were issued show- cause orders include: ex-press secretary Trixie Cruz-Angeles; former government anti-insurgency task force spokesperson Lorraine Marie Badoy-Partosa; broadcaster Jeffrey Celiz; lawyer Glenn Chong; Krizette Laureta Chu; Sass Rogando Sasot; Mark Anthony Lopez; Mary Catherine Binag; Elizabeth Joie Cruz; and Elmer Jugalbot.
Also among those directed to explain their failure to attend the Feb. 4 hearing were: Ernesto Abines Jr.; Ethel Pineda Garcia; George Ahmed Paglinawan; Mary Jean Reyes: Richard Mata; Suzanne Batalla; Vivian Rodriguez; Aeron Pena; Alex Destor; Alven L. Montero; Claire Eden Contreras; Claro Ganac; Darwin Salceda; Jeffrey G. Cruz; Jonathan Morales; Julius Melanosi Maui; Kester Ramon John Tan; and Manuel Mata Jr.
The tripartite committee aims to formulate potential policy responses to digital misinformation, which could include the crafting of stricter accountability measures for social media influencers; improved regulation of online content; and stronger enforcement against foreign-backed disinformation campaigns.
Fernandez reiterated that the inquiry is part of a broader effort to strengthen digital governance, pointing out, “we have to determine whether existing laws are enough to address this growing problem or if new measures are necessary.”
