TUGUEGARAO CITY, Cagayan (PIA) ---The Philippines, through the Philippine Information Agency, joined other representatives from the ASEAN Member States (AMS) in a two-day workshop on Developing the Guideline on Management of Government Information in Combating Fake News and Disinformation in the Media  held in Jakarta, Indonesia on 2-3 March 2023.

Recognizing the need to collectively address the proliferation of fake news and disinformation, the Republic of Indonesia, though its Ministry of Communications and Informatics, initiated the conduct of the said workshop being this year’s ASEAN Chair.

The workshop aims to provide guidance on how to effectively manage government information to combat the spread of fake news and disinformation in the media.

It is a project of the Sub-Committee of Information (SCI) of the ASEAN’s Committee on Culture and Information (COCI) which aims to provide a framework for government information officers in collaboration with media organizations, journalists, and other stakeholders in developing strategies for identifying and countering false information, and implementing systems for monitoring and responding to disinformation.

The guideline was also crafted to promote accurate and reliable information by establishing standards and best practices for government information officers.

“It also provides guidance on how to verify sources, how to distinguish between fact and opinion, how to avoid sensationalism and how to report controversial issues in a balanced and fair manner,” said Ichwan Nasution, an official from the Indonesia Ministry of Communications and Informatics (Kominfo).

Nasution said that fake news and disinformation related to the government is the most serious problem, adding that fighting fake news and misinformation on the mass media requires good management and general guidelines.

By adhering to the guideline, the Indonesian official said government information officers can demonstrate their commitment to ethical and responsible communication, which can help to maintain the trust of the public.

Nasution added that once adopted, the guideline ensures that government communicators are transparent and accountable and that the public is assured to have access to reliable and trustworthy information which can help to help maintain the credibility and reputation of government agencies.

PIA Deputy Director-General Katherine Chloe S. De Castro and PIA Regional Head Angely L. Mercado represented the country in the said two-day workshop where they also shared the government’s initiatives on how to prevent the proliferation of fake news and disinformation in the media.          

The two officials also participated in the sharing session on how to effectively communicate with the public, developing strategies for identifying and countering false information, and implementing systems for monitoring and responding to disinformation.

Representatives of the AMS are optimistic that the very dynamic and positive engagements during the workshop will help drive ambition for the Guideline on Management of Government Information in Combating Fake News and Disinformation in the Media to be impactful, practical and address the key opportunities and challenges for ASEAN.

All inputs will be incorporated into a finalized Guideline on Management of Government Information in Combating Fake News and Disinformation in the Media which will be presented and endorsed at the ASEAN Senior Officials Meeting Responsible for Information (SOMRI) and  AMRI meetings in June 2023. (ALM/PIA Region 2)