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Initially, using digital technology, social media was meant to help people connect with friends and loved ones who cannot meet face-to-face due to geographical distance. The various platforms have become useful tools for sharing ideas or exchanging information through virtual networks and online communities.
It is unbelievable how social media has evolved from 30 years ago, when there was minimal internet, compared to today. So many new platforms have come out, making it a worldwide phenomenon. Unfortunately, social media has also become the source of all sorts of trash and fake news, enabling criminals to engage in hacking, cyberbullying, financial scams, and other kinds of cybercrimes that can destroy the reputation of individuals and institutions – even the fabric of society – particularly with the advent of generative AI technology that can generate fake text messages and videos.
As a natural consequence, the target of any fake news is always the political leadership. Such was the case of PBBM, who was recently the subject of nasty disinformation being circulated online that he was rushed to the hospital due to a medical emergency.
While the President laughingly dismissed fake news as complete nonsense, many people privately expressed their concern about the spread of false information through social media platforms, which could easily undermine the country’s economy and cause a stock market crash.
It’s understandable why many countries, especially the United States, are highly concerned about using AI and social media platforms to spread disinformation. Just a few days ago, the US accused Russian state media executives of engaging in a widespread campaign to spread disinformation and influence the outcome of the November presidential election by sowing discord and creating confusion among voters.
The US Justice Department said two executives of Russian state media company RT – formerly known as Russia Today – secretly paid close to $10 million to a Tennessee-based content creation company to produce English-language videos with “hidden Russian government messaging.” It spread these to US audiences through social media platforms such as YouTube and TikTok. The RT executives have been charged with conspiracy to commit money laundering and violating the Foreign Agents Registration Act. Prosecutors said that on YouTube alone, the almost 2,000 videos posted have received 16 million views.
According to White House National Security Council spokesman John Kirby, Russia’s agenda was aimed at reducing international support for Ukraine, bolstering pro-Russian policies and interests, and influencing US voters. “RT is no longer just a propaganda arm of the Kremlin… It’s being used to advance covert Russian influence actions,” Kirby said.
But Russia is not the only country being accused of using social media to spread disinformation and sow division. According to a report by intelligence company Graphika, a long-running Chinese state-linked influence operation known as “Spamouflage” is using fake accounts and impersonating US voters, including soldiers, to post about contentious issues and amplify political divisions, targeting both Democrats and Republicans.
“The good news is that legitimate media outlets are intensifying efforts against fake news by monitoring disinformation and reporting against influence operations in the Philippines. Just recently, major media organizations signed a pledge to fight fake news, which, according to a 2022 Pulse Asia survey, is regarded as “a problem” by about 90 percent of Filipinos.”
Graphika’s chief intelligence officer, Jake Stubbs, said China is “engaging in these more advanced deceptive behaviors and directly targeting these organic but hyper-sensitive social rifts… to portray the US as this declining global power with weak political leadership and a failing system of governance.”
In the Philippines, the biggest fake news comes from malign actors propagating disinformation, engaging in influence operations to divide the people and undermine our national security, coming out with deepfake videos impersonating the President and alleging all sorts of disinformation.
A most recent example of disinformation is the claim by the China Coast Guard that it rescued Philippine personnel who fell overboard after a collision between a Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources vessel and a CCG vessel at Escoda Shoal.
This claim was refuted by the National Task Force on the West Philippine Sea as “completely unfounded,” saying that the BFAR vessel was targeted by a Chinese People’s Liberation Army Navy ship. “This fake news and misinformation serves as a clear illustration of the PRC’s willingness to distort the truth and engage in disinformation to bolster its public image,” the task force asserted.
It’s a good thing that we have been very transparent about China’s continuing harassment in the West Philippine Sea. The Philippine Coast Guard has done a great job exposing the aggressive behavior of the Chinese Coast Guard and militia vessels. No matter how much China tries to change the narrative, they can’t really fool around with the truth because it is there for people to see.
As President Marcos has warned, “the battlefield is changing,” with new threats to our nation’s security that require the military to be equipped with skills for “digital warfare.”
With the 2025 elections drawing near, we can expect more fake news and AI-generated deep fakes to spread across social media to mislead voters and influence the results of the midterm elections.
The good news is that legitimate media outlets are intensifying efforts against fake news by monitoring disinformation and reporting against influence operations in the Philippines. Recently, major media organizations signed a pledge to fight fake news, which, according to a 2022 Pulse Asia survey, is regarded as “a problem” by about 90 percent of Filipinos.
Admittedly, social media use is prevalent, but if it continues to be utilized for disinformation, it could eventually self-destruct because of the garbage from those engaged in influence operations. So long as mainstream media maintains its credibility, Filipinos will likely rely on it for real news, not “Marites” stories.
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