House to launch another multi-panel inquiry aimed at combating ‘harmful digital content’
Due to the “rampant” online posting of malicious disinformation, the House of Representatives intends to start another multi-panel inquiry next year aimed at crafting measures to combat harmful digital content while safeguarding free speech on various social media platforms.
This time, the joint probe will be conducted by three House panels: the committees on public order and safety, information and communications technology (ICT), and public information.
The congressional inquiry by a tripartite committee was sought by Senior Deputy Speaker Aurelio Gonzales Jr. (Pampanga), Deputy Speaker David Suarez (Quezon), Majority Leader Manuel Jose Dalipe (Zamboanga City) and Minority Leader Marcelino Libanan (4Ps party-list group).
Three of the quad committee chairpersons: Surigao del Norte Rep. Robert Ace Barbers, dangerous drugs panel head; Manila Rep Bienvenido Abante Jr., human rights committee chair; and Abang Lingkod Rep. Joseph Stephen Paduano, public accounts panel chair, also joined the clamor for the tripartite probe.
Barbers, the chair of the quad committee, has been very vocal against the spread of fake news and disinformation by some social media influencers targeting lawmakers. He had raised the possibility that some of the vloggers, spreading disinformation against House members, were being financed by Philippine offshore gaming operators and drug dealers who were hurt by the mega panel’s inquiry.
Rampant posting of false, malicious content
The seven lawmakers have filed House Resolution No. 286 which would authorize three House panels to conduct a joint inquiry on the “rampant posting of false and malicious content on social media platforms while safeguarding freedom of speech and ensuring digital safety.”
HR 286 was adopted last December 18 on the House floor during the last session before Congress went on Christmas break.
According to the legislators, the “rapid growth of social media platforms has allowed the dissemination of content that can mislead the public, damage individual reputations, (arouse distrust) in institutions, and disrupt public discourse.”
“False and malicious content has also been exploited by unscrupulous individuals to promote scams, cyberbullying and other activities that negatively impact public safety and order,” they said in the resolution.
They maintained, “There is a pressing need for a collaborative approach among relevant committees to identify gaps in existing laws and recommend measures to combat harmful content while upholding the rights of individuals to participate in free and open discourse.”
The lawmakers pointed out that due to the interconnected nature of technological, informational and public safety concerns, it was imperative for the three committees on public order and safety, ICT and public information, to conduct a joint inquiry on the impact of false and malicious content on social media.
The deliberations, findings, and recommendations of the joint inquiry would be made available to the public to “promote transparency and foster trust in the process,” which would include stakeholders such as representatives from social media companies, cybersecurity experts, civil society organizations, and legal experts, for a balanced and effective approach to combating harmful digital content.
Gaps in legislation
The congressional inquiry would seek to identify gaps in legislation, particularly through a review of Republic Act No. 10175 or the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012, and recommend amendments that would address the challenges posed by emerging technologies and harmful online content.
Through the probe, the committees aim to improve social media platform accountability by enhancing content moderation, reporting systems and safeguards against algorithm misuse.
The lawmakers said that the congressional inquiry also seeks to come up with recommendations to address cybercrimes, cyberbullying, and harassment through the use of false and malicious online content as well as suggestions for public awareness campaigns to improve digital literacy and the ability of users to discern credible information.
While fighting disinformation and harmful online content, they stressed the importance of upholding free speech and preventing any undue censorship.
“The balance between ensuring digital safety and protecting constitutional freedoms, particularly freedom of speech and expression, must be maintained, as these are cornerstones of democracy,” the lawmakers said.
