A HOUSE of Representatives committee has invited representatives of social media platforms and 40 “personalities” to allow lawmakers to understand how disinformation spreads online.
The House panel invited representatives from Google, TikTok, Facebook, alongside officials from the National Bureau of Investigation, Department of Justice, and the national police to discuss challenges in regulating and enforcing mechanisms against online disinformation.
The invited social media personalities are known for engaging “in political discourse, news analysis and online commentary,” according to a statement by Sta. Rosa City Rep. Danilo Ramon S. Fernandez.
“We will not allow social media to be used to deceive our fellow citizens. It is time to implement stricter laws to combat fake news and disinformation,” said Mr. Fernandez.
He said the House joint panel on public safety, public information and communications technology seeks to “identify weaknesses” in existing regulations, while looking for ways to strengthen social media platform accountability and possibly impose penalties for persons deliberately spreading misinformation. — Kenneth Christiane L. Basilio
