Where every place and platform is flooded by fake news and misleading information, we are fighting what or, boldly, who? In one of the recent activities of the Commission on Election (Comelec) concerning the upcoming 2022 national and local elections, it did not go unnoticed how the suspension of the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with Rappler, an online news website most well-known for its fact-checking entries, a day after filing a petition regarding the nullification of the deal coming from the Office of the Solicitor General. A consortium signed in good faith obliterated due to the claim of it being inappropriate given the history of Rappler inciting the claims against the media is not just a brawl between Rappler and a government institution but to all who holds their pen to fight for free speech and against disinformation.
OSG’s Jose Calida’s call to nullify the deal between Comelec and Rappler which was signed last February 24, 2022, had been circulating as he views the agreement to be unfitting given the undue delegation to Rappler of the Commission's authority. Despite it, Comelec backed Rappler saying, “We cannot do anything but face the music, answer the petition, and defend the MOA that we signed with Rappler.”
It is noted that the agreement is to set forth with Rappler to alert the Comelec about false and misleading election-related claims on social media with the help of 14 other newsgroups and over 100 civil society organizations. But the intention was mistakenly viewed to violate free speech. From this, it is clearly an implication of a press freedom issue.
Even the Journalism Professor and Kontra Daya convenor Danilo Arao said that “It reflects the impunity with which the Duterte administration harasses and intimidates individuals and groups they don’t like, including journalists and news media organizations,”
Looking at it from a journalistic perspective, it is of high regard that Comelec stands with Rappler knowing that the election is played maliciously by some camps who benefit from the spread of fake news and misleading information. A massive number of people had been victimized as seen in social media platforms where it is rampant. The deal to assist what is to come and go is just and right as we are referring to the next 6 years of our lives.
However, just a day after defending the MOA, Comelec drifted to another path unilaterally, without informing the involved party. From the statement released by the news media, it is quoted, “It is equally lamentable that Rappler, as the other party to the agreement, was not officially informed about Commissioner Inting’s memorandum beforehand. Instead, the information and memo were leaked to a TV station associated with disinformation and online attacks on journalists and independent media. We have not received an official copy of the memorandum as of 10 pm on Tuesday, March 8, four hours after it was leaked,” Rappler said.
What is alarming is how the decision was made just a day after standing with it. Such unfortunate that Comelec halted despite the good intentions that would benefit the Filipino people considering that they are an independent constitutional body and the political situation, to sum up. In a position where the credibility of the Commission is questionable, this could be their state of grace, instead, it was stashed and put on hold.
Though many were dismayed by the decision, some still commended the verdict. The National Press Club, one of the country’s oldest and biggest media organizations, for instance, affirmed and said that the initial agreement is a step in the wrong direction. It was supported by stating, “Nevertheless, we call your attention to the fact that most of Rappler’s current legal woes arise first, from its being a foreign-funded media outfit, contrary to what is provided for in our Constitution. Its chief executive, Maria Ressa, has been convicted of criminal libel by a Manila court for biased reporting, a fact that cannot be obscured by the many ‘awards’ given to her by foreign-based media organizations. We can go on and on citing reasons why we object to your MOA with Rappler. But our central message is, the credibility of the coming election that we all aspire for is not enhanced by your choice,”
There may be varying arguments regarding the said deal and its rescission and blame game is so appealing but the focal point and very essence of this is the credibility and the fight for the future of this country. It is evident how disinformation continues to escalate here in the Philippines and no matter how numerous people opt to resist, fate carries on the devil’s side. Hope is attainable but with the indifference towards better Philippines and factual information, what a disappointment this country has become. Besides, what is advocated is transparency and credible elections, if this is still being threatened, and when the truth is being disregarded, it is apparent that we are indeed beyond repair.
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