Pacquiao calls for gov’t control of social media to deter fake news

Senator Manny Pacquiao

MANILA, Philippines — Presidential candidate Senator Manny Pacquiao on Wednesday said the government should have control over social media platforms to curb the proliferation of fake news and disinformation.

“Kailangan magising ang ating gobyerno na lahat ng social media ay ma-control ng gobyerno. Kasi sa ibang bansa controlled naman eh, dito lang sa ating bansa  pinapabayaan natin,” Pacquiao said in a FOCAP forum.

(The government should control social media. It’s being done in other countries, but not here.)

“Dapat siguro i-control lahat at maging strikto ang ating gobyerno pagdating dito sa social media,” he added.

(The government should be strict with social media.)

When asked if this would not be tantamount to censorship, Pacquiao clarified that the government should be strict, especially to those who are creating fake social media accounts using fake identities.

He said some candidates are using such tactics, or known as troll farms, in order to gain support online.

“’Yung sinasabing control yung maraming gumagawa ng fake account. Papayagan ba natin? Isa yan sa dapat aksyunan ng gobyerno at i-control ng ating gobyerno na hindi mangyayari ‘yung ganyan,” Pacquiao said.

(What I’m referring to is the control on those creating fake accounts. Would we allow that to happen? The government should address this.)

“Tulad nitong ibang tumakatabo diyan, alam mo maraming mga accounts sila na trolls. Mahirap naman ‘yun. Nandadaya ka sa mga tao,” he added.

(A number of candidates have many accounts who are trolls. That’s unfair. They are hoodwinking the people.)

The Bayan Muna party-list in the House of Representatives previously sought an investigation on the alleged establishment of internet troll farms for the 2022 elections by a certain ranking government official.

This stemmed from presidential candidate Senator Panfilo Lacson’s disclosure that a ranking government official has allegedly started organizing at least two troll farms in every province to discredit critics of the administration and possible opponents in the 2022 elections.

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