Gov’t launches newspaper vs. fake news

FILE: BALITA CENTRAL LAUNCHING. Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Undersecretary George A. Apacible, Light Rail Transit Authority (LRTA) Administrator Reynaldo L. Berroya, PCOO Undersecretary Lorraine Marie T. Badoy, and Bureau of Communication Services (BCS) Officer in Charge Eileen Cruz-David, lead other PCOO officials in launching of the newspaper Balita Central held at LRT Line 2 Cubao Station on Thursday (Feb. 28, 2019). Through the PCOO’s Bureau of Communication Services, Balita Central will be distributed for free in LRT and MRT stations to communicate with the working masses the government’s continued efforts to provide better lives to Filipinos as well as address current social issues. (PNA photo by Rico Borja)

MANILA — Staying true to their commitment of transparency and good governance, the Duterte administration launched on Thursday Balita Central, a newspaper dedicated to disseminating updates and development of government projects and programs.

Through the Presidential Communications Operations Office’s (PCOO) Bureau of Communication Services (BCS), Balita Central will serve as a government medium to communicate with the public its efforts to provide better lives to Filipinos as well as address current social issues in the country.

“This as we seek to make the public informed of the current and relevant events, we believe that one of the hallmarks of democracy is a literate, informed citizenry,” PCOO Undersecretary George Apacible said during the launch at the LRT-2 Araneta-Cubao Station.

Apacible also urged the public to help combat the spread of #FakeNews through verifying stories before taking it as truth.

“I encourage the public to continuously support [the PCOO, and now] Balita Central as people’s partner in making change happen,” Apacible added.

The 12-page newspaper, which will be distributed in select LRT and MRT stations, will include PCOO Secretary Martin Andanar’s and Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo’s columns. It will also contain the column of BCS officer-in- charge Eileen Cruz-David.

“Ang Balita Central ang magsisilbing tulay para maugnay ang puso ng gobyerno at pulso ng mga mamayang Pilipino (Balita Central will serve as a bridge to link the heart of the government and the pulse of Filipinos,” David said in an interview.

David, a psychologist by profession, said they are aiming to uplift the morale of the Filipinos by spreading the many benefits and good news to a wider range of Filipino readers that some of the mainstream media have been missing as they focus on other matters.

Balita Central’s first banner story is on rice tariff –“Doble Panalo sa Rice Tariff: Presyo ng Bigas bababa, pero magsasaka protektado” (Double win on Rice Tariff: Price of rice drops, farmers protected).

The newspaper which is in Filipino also includes business stories, editorial pieces, among others.

“Let us all think, speak, live for the truth. Let us fight #FakeNews,” David said.