Laws vs. ‘fake news’ already exist: Andanar

FILE: Communications Secretary Martin Andanar (PCOO Photo)

MANILA — There are already existing legal remedies in place to address the spread of fake news, Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Secretary Martin Andanar said Tuesday.

Andanar made this remark during the second Senate panel hearing on fake news seeking to take legal action against parties propagating fake news.

“We note that there are already existing laws which may be tapped by anyone seeking redress against fake news or false information,” Andanar told the Senate Committee on Public Information and Mass Media.

Andanar said laws such as the Revised Penal Code, as amended by Republic Act 10951, in particular, Article 154 or the Unlawful Use of Means of Publication and Unlawful Utterances; and Article 355 or Libel by Means of Writings or Similar means.

Another landmark legislation is Republic Act 10175 or Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012 which has a section on cyber libel.

He said he was cognizant of the proliferation of fake news as “one of the pressing issues” that must be addressed.

The Communications Secretary gave three recommendations to help fight fake news including increasing the budget for media and information literacy education, hiring better public information officers, and strengthening the efforts of the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) and the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) to pursue cases against purveyors of fake news.

Andanar, however, pointed out that the fight against fake news should be a collective effort of all stakeholders to educate people to discern fake from real news.

Andanar has asked support from the Senate to help educate the public on the responsible use of information.

“Our mandate is not only to provide information, but also to empower the public on how to use these information towards the greater good and to support nation-building,” Andanar said.

“The best way to counter fake news is to be properly informed,” he added.

He also assured that the basic constitutional right to free speech and expression would not be curtailed.

Members of the media and academe echoed Andanar’s suggestion.

Rappler CEO and executive editor Maria Ressa said that there was no longer a need for legislation, but merely impose existing laws.

University of the Philippines College of Mass Communication professor Clarissa David, meanwhile, said stopping fake news should not be the sole responsibility of the government but by various stakeholders as well.