FAKE NEWS

Using gadgets and surfing through different social media platforms are the trends in today’s
generation. However, because of that trend several unreliable sources started to resurface, it
became easy to be updated about the latest news but it also gives an easy access to spread
news that are manipulated, or most commonly known as “Fake news”.

EXAMPLES OF FAKE NEWS:

1. HOW TO PREVENT COVID-19

This is originally posted on a facebook page
named Mixed Temptation Mobile Bar Davao.
This post circulated in facebook thus some
netizen’s reposted the same news. The post
made by the original uploader reach atleast
5,600 people while other post made by
netizens reach atleast 172 reaction each.

Spreading misleading news like this is

dangerous because it is hindering the people
to know the real precautions in preventing
Covid-19. Aside from that the letter showed
that it is written by St. Luke’s Hospital thus
promotes higher risk of people believing that it
is true and as a result many of them will follow
the advisory.

Furthermore, this letter is verified as fake by

the St. Luke’s Hospitals, they also posted on
their real facebook page that drinking alcohol
to reduce risk of Covid-19 are not true, proper
washing hand technique and respiratory
hygiene are the real preventions.

2. FEATURED QOUTES FROM POLITICIANS

These photos quoting the speech of politicians
resurfaced in twitter as well as on instagram
and facebook. The said photo also bears the
logo of Inquirer.net thus many netizens
believed in it and started sharing it in their own
social media. This photos reach thousands of
reaction from twitter.

The spread of this fake quotation in twitter

cause a huge ruckus from the netizens, they
started bashing the politician and started to
humiliate their knowledge and character. Aside
from that netizens are also adding some
misleading news about the politicians.
 As a result many negative issues about the
politician are spreading, making the people
realize that our government is managed by
dumb politicians, as well as adding fury to the
people causing keyboard wars in the comment
sections.

Nevertheless, these fake photo quotations are

verified as fake by the Inquirer.net, they
addressed the issue by posting a comparison
between the real and fake quotation in their
own website, they also reminded the netizens
to be cautious of the content they are sharing.

3. FOREIGNER IS ASSAULTED BY A POLICE

OFFICER This video was posted by Rappler, they posted
it on their own website and youtube account,
aside from that the video also appeared on
facebook and twitter. The video reached
hundrends of views on youtube bearing
different reactions from netizens.

The spread of video created a huge fuss in the

comment section, some netizens are taking
the side of the foreigner wherein they are
saying that the police officer was not
understanding and professional enough, and
some claimed that it is an abused of power.

This video can affect the view of Filipinos on

our police officers, because of this disrespect
from Filipino police officers might exist.

The Makati mayor investigated the situation

wherein it was revealed that the foreigner is
violating the ordinance of wearing face mask
when going outside.

Thus, broadcasting media like ABS-CBN and

GMA news revealed the full video wherein we
could compare that Rappler’s posted video
has a misleading headline because it is putting
the blame on the police officer, aside from that
the video shown by Rappler was incomplete.
MARKERS OR INDICATORS TO SPOT THE GIVEN ARTICLES AS HOAX:

1. The person who posted the news. In the first example it is posted by a random page,
instead of the St. Lukes Hospital main account.
2. The source of the news. The featured fake news above was found in Facebook, Twitter and
Youtube, wherein it is a social media platform that gives users the freedom to post
everything they like.
3. The content of the news. The first and second featured fake news content is not found in the
real page or account of St. Lukes Hospital and Inquirer.net
4. If the news posted has the same content with other websites. The third example doesn’t
have the same headline compared to other broadcasting news.
5. The information given was incomplete. All of the featured examples doesn’t have complete
information, the first one lacks evidence that alcohol could prevent Covid-19, the second
one shows that the quote is out of the character of the politician and is merely a way to
destroy their image and the third one was a cut video wherein only the point of view of the
foreigner was revealed.

HOW THIS FAKE NEWS AFFECTS THE SOCIETY AND WHAT CAN BE DONE TO
GRADUALLY ELIMINATE THEM?

Being updated with the current issues happening in the world is important, that is why
innovations on delivering such news were made. However these innovations also brought
thousands of fake news and it is alarming because many people are not educated about
verifying news. Fake news greatly affects the society because their knowledge and perspective
could be affected depending on the content of the news. For example, news about suspension
of classes, students might be deprived of the lessons they should be taking on that day if it is
proven as fake news, another is negative news about politicians or artist, fake news like that
might bring fear or bad image to the parties involved as well as creating or manipulating false
ideas to its audience.

Fake news are dangerous especially in our situation right now, if fake news about Covid-19 will
surface many people will react and give unnecessary comment thus making it hard for our
government to resolve this pandemic. Furthermore, fake news affects the society because
believing in it means that you are being manipulated by hoax instead of being aware of the truth
thus our society will be full or doubts and criticisms.

Eliminating fake news is hard because social media platforms gives too much freedom, the only
thing we could do to lessen it is to be educated enough. People should be aware that fake news
exists so that they could be wary of the news they will believe and share. Educating people
about fake news could be done inside the classroom for students while television, radio, video
or post advertisement for the society.

Moreover, spread of fake news is partly the fault of the society, there is only one person behind
the fake news but millions of people are supporting it, thus the problem is within us and perhaps
the only solution is to change ourselves.
REFERENCES:

Trendsmap. (2020, March 18). Beware of edited images. Retrieved from:

https://www.trendsmap.com/twitter/tweet/1240117671498330113

Vera Files. (2020, March 22). Vera Files Fact check: Memo of US hospital; to drink alcohol to
reduce risk of COVID-19 FAKE. Retrieved from: https://verafiles.org/articles/vera-files-
fact-check-memo-us-hospital-drink-alcohol-reduce

Philippine Daily Inquirer. (2020, April 12). Warning. Retrieved from:

https://www.facebook.com/photo?fbid=10159007220359453&set=warningthe-
inquirernet-did-not-produce-the-image-on-the-left-we-urge-the-public-

Macababbad, E. (2020, April 23). Don’t be victimized by fake news. Retrieved from:
https://opinion.inquirer.net/129140/dont-be-victimized-by-fake-news

Rappler. (2020, April 27). Man in Dasmariñas Village assaulted, nearly arrested without warrant
by Makati police. Retrieved from: https://www.youtube.com/watch?
v=h5ypClufNA4&list=WL&index=1

ABS-CBN News. (2020, April 27). Makati mayor pinaiimbestigahan ang nangyaring gulo sa
pagitan ng pulis, foreigner | TV Patrol. Retrieved from: https://www.youtube.com/watch?
v=AxNBdEbZjpE