In an effort to fight disinformation and fake news, GMA Network collaborates with some of the country’s most reputable and prominent media organizations, academic institutions, and the Commission on Elections (COMELEC).
Together with GMA, these partners, almost 60 of them, participated in the Panata Kontra-Fake News Covenant Signing that took place in GMA Compound in Quezon City, August 30, 2024.
Adopting the slogan, "Magkaisa Tayong Labanan ang Fake," the partnership aims to uphold a shared responsibility and commitment to combat fake news and disinformation.
This advocacy campaign also calls on every Filipino to unite against the spread of fake news and disinformation.
“Fake news is both dangerous and harmful, but the truth is glorious and useful,” said GMA Network Chairman Atty. Felipe L. Gozon during the Panata Kontra-Fake News Covenant Signing, which was also held on "National Press Freedom Day."
He continued: “It fosters an informed populace, essential for a functioning democracy and a stronger society.
“With it, we lay the groundwork for transformative projects that enhance the lives of every Filipino.
"Truth is the very mechanism by which we build a better nation. It is not always the most viral, but it remains the best story to tell."
“Lagi’t lagi, sama-sama tayong magpahayag ng katotohanan na walang kinikilingan, walang pinoprotektahan, walang kasinungalingan, sa pamamagitan ng serbisyong totoo lamang."
Read: Felipe L. Gozon: From the streets of Malabon to self-made media tycoon
PEP HEEDS CALL for truth
Just like in the past years, PEP.ph (Philippine Entertainment Portal) is one of the partners in the Kapuso network’s campaign this 2024.
This proves that PEP and GMA Network uphold the same values in search of truth and combatting disinformation.
PEP editor-in-chief Jo-Ann Q. Maglipon, who was interviewed at the event signing, stressed the importance of reporting the facts in showbiz.
She said, “I have to begin by saying I take entertainment journalism very seriously.
“Look at the way our Senate is filled with movie stars. We’ve had a movie-star President," referring to former President Joseph Estrada, who was elected in 1998, but was impeached and ousted in 2001.
“And the frontrunners, as of now, although early for the midterms and for the next national presidential elections, you have all these celebrity names.
“More than ever, therefore, I think PEP has to do its job.
“And the way to do it, you know, it’s incremental, it’s case to case, it’s every day…
“Every time you report on somebody, when you do a profile of a celebrity, make sure that you drop only the adjectives, adverbs, descriptions that fit.
“You do not go saying, ‘Oh, this productive, generous, etcetera person when you do not know—that’s what I tell my team—when you do not know, for a fact, that they are indeed generous and productive.
“So truth telling at show business level, to me, it’s so urgent because the people, the majority have name recall of these celebrities, and it’s do or die for the country.”
Maglipon explained that extracting the truth in the industry is no easy task and requires a lot of hard work and investigation.
She explained, “Ang problema kasi sa celebrities, they are guarded in very real ways by their production team, their managers, their networks, or whichever infrastructure surrounds them.
“The name, the imaging is so guarded that just to penetrate, get access, requires a lot of networking, requires a lot of ‘people person’ skills.
“You need to be liked, but at the same time, you know that you, as a journalist, are not in the business of being liked.
“You’re in the business of getting, ferreting out what you can, the truth.
“So, it’s always Sisyphus, I think. Really an uphill battle. Uphill,” said the seasoned journalist.
On the other hand, data from a Pulse Asia survey in September 2022, revealed that nine out of 10 adults believe fake news is a problem.
Another Social Weather Station survey in the fourth quarter of 2021, showed that 67 percent of the respondents believed that fake news on the internet was a serious problem.
Further, 51 percent said it was difficult to spot fake news.
More than ever, this only highlights the importance of GMA’s latest campaign.
THE PARTNERS IN Panata Kontra-Fake News
Together with GMA Network Chair Felipe Gozon, also present at the covenant signing were President and CEO Gilberto R. Duavit, Jr.; Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer Felipe S. Yalong.
Other GMA executives who were present during the event included GMA Integrated News, Regional TV, and Synergy Senior Vice President and Head Oliver Victor B. Amoroso as well as Senior Vice President of Corporate Strategic Planning and Business Development and Concurrent Chief Risk Officer, and Head of Program Support Regie C. Bautista.
More GMA officers present were First Vice President for Public Affairs Nessa Valdellon, First Vice President for Radio Operations Group Glenn F. Allona, GMA New Media, Inc. President and Chief Operating Officer Dennis Augusto L. Caharian, and Vice President for Corporate Affairs & Communications Angela Javier Cruz.
Among the roster of distinguished partners was COMELEC Chairman Atty. George Erwin M. Garcia.
Media representatives who attended included Philippine Daily Inquirer President and CEO Atty. Rudyard Arbolado; Manila Bulletin Publishing Corporation Publisher Herminio "Sonny" B. Coloma, Jr.; Manila Times Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Dante "Klink" Ang II.
Other broadsheet officers spotted at the event were Manila Standard Publisher Rolando G. Estabillo; Daily Tribune President Willie Fernandez; Malaya Chief Executive Officer Antonio Macasaet; and Business Mirror Publisher T. Anthony C. Cabangon.
Online media representatives who were also present included Rappler Co-Founder and Executive Editor Glenda M. Gloria, #FactsFirstPH Coalition Representative Pia Ranada, and Sunstar President Gahum Vincent L. Garcia.
Additionally, PressOne.PH Multimedia Editor Niceforo Vince A. Balbedina III, AllTV President Maribeth C. Tolentino, ZOE Broadcasting Network Inc. (ZOE) Programming, Sales and Marketing Head Nestor T. Layderos were present.
The event was also attended by Catholic Media Network (CMN) President and CEO Rev. Fr. Francis B. Lucas; MBC Media Group (MBCMG) President Ruperto S. Nicdao, Jr.; Far East Broadcasting Company (FEBC) represented by DZAS Station Manager Josephine C. Alabastro; and Quest Broadcasting Inc (Magic 89.9) DJ Tina Ryan.
Representatives of the biggest media organizations that were present were the following: Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster ng Pilipinas (KBP) President Noel C. Galvez, Philippine Press Institute (PPI) Executive Director Ariel C. Sebellino, and Manila Overseas Press Club (MOPC) Chairman Antonio S. Lopez.
Also joining them were Foreign Correspondents Association of the Philippines (FOCAP) Board Member Regine Cabato, National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP) Chairman Jonathan de Santos, and Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism (PCIJ) Training Director Rowena Paraan.
Also in solidarity were various universities: Adamson University President Fr. Daniel Franklin E. Pilario, CM; De La Salle University Provost Dr. Robert Roleda; National University Senior Director for Corporate Marketing and Communications Adolfo J. Aran, Jr.; University of the East Director Marketing and University Relations Department Edilberto B. Sulat, Jr..
Other university officers were University of the Philippines Los Baños Director of Public Relations Mark Lester Del Mundo Chico and Polytechnic University of the Philippines President Dr. Manuel M. Muhi.
Other members from National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA): Arellano University Vice President for Human Resources and Director for Legal Affairs Atty. Frederick G. Dedace; Colegio de San Juan de Letran Student Council Adviser Cora-Lynne Regencia-Navalta; De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde Vice Chancellor for Academics Angelo Lacson; Emilio Aguinaldo College President Dean of Student Affairs Ameena Oliva RRT, MAEd.
More university representatives at the event were José Rizal University Member Board of Trustees Augusto Fabella; Lyceum of the Philippines University Dean of Student Affairs Gladys Ramos; Mapúa University President and Chief Executive Officer Dr. Dodjie Maestrocampo; San Sebastian College - Recoletos President Fr. Rafael B. Pecson, OAR; and University of Perpetual Help System DALTA School Director Arnaldo De Guzman.
Representing the academe as well were the following regional school partners: University of St. La Salle Bacolod President Br. Joaquin Severino S. Martinez; De La Salle Lipa President Vice Chancellor for Academics Dr. Tessie Palma; Ateneo De Naga Officer-in-Charge Bro. Raymund E. Belleza, SJ; Silliman University Officer-in-Charge Strategic Partnerships Glynnis Jean Casiño.
More of the academe representatives were University of San Carlos Vice President for Academic Affairs Fr. Jesuraj Anthoniappen, SVD; Universidad De Dagupan Chief Operating Officer Jann Alfred Arzadon Quinto; University of Science and Technology of Southern Philippines President Dr. Ambrosio B. Cultura II; Central Mindanao University President Dr. Rolito G. Eballe; University of the Philippines Mindanao Chancellor Dr. Lyre Anni E. Murao; Holy Cross of Davao College Vice President for Academic Affairs Dr. Teresa Fabiania; Notre Dame of Dadiangas University President Br. Manuel V. De Leon, FMS; Mariano Marcos State University Officer in Charge - Chief Information Services Section Maria Kathrina Ysabel A. Antonio; University of San Agustin AB Communication Academic Supervisor Dr. Rhoda G. Campillan; University of the Philippines Visayas Chancellor Dr. Clement C. Camposano; and Western Mindanao State University President Dr. Ma. Carla Ochotorena.
University of the Philippines Diliman, University of Santo Tomas, and Center for Media Freedom and Responsibility (CMFR) are also part of the alliance.
Supporting the campaign is digital platform Google through its Head of Government Affairs and Public Policy Atty. Yves Gonzales.
Following the historic Panata Kontra-Fake News Signing, GMA Network will fire up content to educate Filipinos regarding fake news and encourage them to stand in solidarity against disinformation.
Further information will also be available across multiple platforms through the GMA News Online microsite.