Palace taps Google, FB, TikTok to fight fake news

The Presidential Communications Office (PCO) is partnering with Google, Tiktok, and Facebook to fight the spread of disinformation ahead of the 2025 elections.

Representatives from the three social media giants recently attended the UniComm 2024 gathering organized by PCO to share tips in fighting fake news.

“We are starting with our digital defense today because it is very clear to us that misinformation and disinformation campaigns against the government programs, and against the persons within the administration are increasingly prevalent,” PCO Undersecretary for Digital Media Services (DMS) Emerald Ridao said.

Genixon David, public policy associate manager of Meta, the company behind Facebook, Instagram, Threads and WhatsApp, reminded netizens to keep their social media accounts secured and be mindful of what they post.

Google head of government affairs Yves Gonzales said YouTube filters out misleading health content. He said the platform’s aim is to educate and entertain the public.

TikTok head of public policy in the Philippines and Malaysia Toff Rada, meanwhile, encouraged netizens to practice critical thinking in consuming digital content.