PLDT, Smart Call for Critical Thinking Beyond Spotting “Fake News”

Recognizing a fabricated story is only one part of navigating today’s information environment. Real facts can also mislead when stripped of context, paired with emotional messaging, or repeatedly amplified online.

That was a central message at the latest PEG-Usapan Natin Session, where PLDT and Smart Communications brought together journalists, researchers, and public sector experts to discuss media literacy and disinformation.

The companies are calling for stronger critical thinking as artificial intelligence, algorithms, and coordinated influence campaigns change how Filipinos encounter and assess information.

Opening the forum, Gian Lao, Deputy Head of the Public Engagement Group, highlighted how algorithms and personalization technologies influence what people see online. He emphasized the importance of regularly revisiting the habits needed to consume information responsibly.

“One forum will not solve everything, but having these every so often—with experienced people like our speakers—will remind us of the behaviors, and the self-awareness, necessary to protect ourselves, our loved ones, and our network,” Lao said.

For Camille Diola, Chief Editor of Philstar.com and Interaksyon, verification requires looking beyond whether a piece of content appears real or fake.

“The better questions are: Where did this come from? What evidence supports it? What is missing? Is the context intact? And how certain can we actually be?” Diola said. “Those are the same questions journalists ask every day.”

She pointed to AI-generated content, information presented without its original context, and coordinated amplification as reasons to examine claims more carefully.

JM Lanuza, assistant professor of political science at UP Manila and head of research at the Sigla Research Center, focused on how manipulation connects with human behavior.

“Everyone is vulnerable,” Lanuza said. “Influence operations are effective because they tap into fears, aspirations, frustrations, and emotions.”

He explained that responding to disinformation should include helping people recognize manipulation before it succeeds, alongside correcting inaccurate information afterward.

The discussion also examined transparency as a response to misleading narratives. Rear Admiral Jay Tarriela, Philippine Coast Guard spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea, said disinformation can confuse the public, weaken trust, and divide communities.

“Transparency allows people to see facts for themselves and make informed judgments,” Tarriela said.

Across the discussion, speakers emphasized that building resilience requires participation from individuals, educators, institutions, media organizations, and technology platforms.

For readers, the forum offered a practical starting point: check where information originated, examine the supporting evidence, look for missing context, and consider whether an emotional reaction is influencing your judgment.

Through PEG-Usapan Natin Sessions, PLDT and Smart aim to encourage more discerning information consumption and responsible participation online.

Separately, Smart reminded customers to report text scams and SMShing messages through its HuliScam portal. The company also identified its official Smart Communications Facebook page, @SmartCares on X, and hotline *888 as reporting channels.

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