06/05/2022
Addressing the Proliferation of Fake News through the Ateneo Way
Anon hopes for a brighter future after the elections. But how can he, when the voters are disabled to become rational thinkers when faced with fallacious posts?
On April 30, 2022, the FACTS MATTER team, in partnership with Project Pindot, Chair Up, EDIWOW, Youth Select and Jobs-R-Us, through the Social Awareness and Community Service Involvement Office, launched a one-day Zoom webinar campaign which aims to raise awareness on the proliferation of fake news and media literacy open for all bonafide voters from the Ateneo de Zamboanga University.
The said project is an initiative of the ADZU first year BS Accountancy students as part of their National Service Training Program 2 subject for the second semester of the School Year 2021-2022. This was spearheaded by the project organizers, namely: Ms. Diana Reese Daquioag, Ms. Cyra Zhaida Jumlaie, Ms. Cherlene Joy Mabilog, Ms. Racine Ezelle Patriarca, and Ms. Margaret Tatel, with the assistance of their instructor, Mr. Kevin Roy Jimera. A total of 29 participants were registered and the actual webinar tallied a total of 36 participants.
At exactly one o'clock in the afternoon, the program started. This was hosted by Ms. Racine and Ms. Margaret. The team was able to invite distinguished guest speakers from different academes who facilitated the discussion of the three specific topics. Ms. Louriane Mae Gallardo, the founder of The Oculus Publications - the official school publication of Ateneo de Zamboanga University Senior High School was invited as the first speaker. Ms. Louriane was able to expertly deliver her inputs with substantial data regarding the topic on (a) how to determine the credibility of the source, and (b) how to address or deal with fake news peddlers. For the second speaker, Mr. Jevan Hope Baltazar, a National Awardee for Campus Journalism and the school paper adviser of Ang Bagong Sibol - the official school paper of Titay National High School also discussed and shared his expertise regarding the topic on (c) how to be a responsible social media user.
For the organizers, this webinar was not simply put up to address the social issue on the proliferation of fake news and to raise awareness on social media literacy, but it also aims to integrate Ignatian values and ignite the flame of Magis and Cura Personalis in the manner of generosity and commitment, and care for the entire person within the students. Embodying the core Ignatian values as a member of the Ateneo Community is to seek a path of growth toward social transformation. Driven by the commitment towards faith and justice, Ateneans are called to be change agents, particularly now, where there is a need to respond to life's complexities and empower the human community.
The Ateneo way of life essentially calls us to live in accordance with the principles of magis, cura personalis, companionship, social involvement, discernment, and animo. At the core of our being Atenean is the disposition to live an active life and adopt an active attitude. This webinar fundamentally highlights our duty to be contemplatives in action. In today’s society beset by misinformation and disinformation, we are called to be in a constant pursuit for truth. This entails us to continuously challenge what we know and to unceasingly regard the common good in all our actions and decisions. This webinar magnifies that we ought not to become passive individuals, but rather carry our mission to contribute to the betterment of human society. The Ateneo way taught us to surpass our blindness and indifference, and to continue striving for the greater good.
In this time wherein the proliferation of fake news is very rampant and has been a long-standing challenge not only in the Philippines, but as well as in the whole world, we are called to face the truth, stop the lies, stop spreading fake news, and be vanguards of truth and change. Anon hopes for a brighter future, and a brighter future we shall give. This can be made possible through growing and strengthening awareness about the gravity of fake news, as well as educating people on how to evaluate their sources. Being informed about the nuances of misinformation and disinformation helps us better in recognizing and mitigating its harmful effects. As Ateneans, let us fly high, and be one in addressing the lie.
