Robredo urges Congress to pass law regulating social media to counter fake news

Vice President Leni Robredo speaks before the students of the University of Luzon about the advocacies of her office during the Kaya Natin! Caravan on Good Governance on Wednesday. She also campaigned for the candidates under the “Otso Diretso” ticket. (Photo courtesy of the Office of the Vice President)

DAGUPAN CITY — Vice President Leni Robredo cited the need for Congress to pass a law regulating social media, which she said is “being abused in a very negative way” especially during elections.

“The social media must be made accountable the way traditional media are accountable. This way, the social media (users) will have a responsibility when posting,” Robredo told reporters during a campaign sortie here.

Robredo said election campaigns have been marred by dirty tactics through some social media platforms.

“This is unfair to the people who must know the truth but also rely on social media for information. Sometimes you can’t blame them because they think it’s true. But what is being fed to them is propaganda,” she said.

Saying she has been a victim of bashing and fake news through social media, Robredo said the platforms were not fair because “they can just post lies” about an individual.

She added that it takes time to undo the damage made by anonymous social media posts.

“So if we do nothing, the situation will worsen. So there is a need for Congress to pass laws on control and regulation of social media like Facebook, Instagram, and even Youtube. Because if anybody can post anonymously, more people will be victimized.” Yolanda Sotelo/lzb