MANILA — Most Filipinos consider the problem of misinformation or "fake news" in the media and internet to be "serious," a recent Social Weather Stations survey showed.

The SWS poll, commissioned by Stratbase Group, revealed that 59 percent of Filipinos considered the spread of fake news on social media to be a serious issue, while 20 percent think it was not serious. Twenty-one percent of the respondents were unsure about the seriousness of the issue.

Meanwhile, 62 percent of the respondents said the issue of fake news in newspapers, radio, and television was "serious," while 18 percent deemed it to be "not serious." Twenty-one percent said they were unsure.

Fake news offers unexpected opportunities for trusted media

MEDIA LITERACY

The findings also revealed that 65 percent of Filipinos find it challenging to discern between real and fake news across various media platforms. Specifically, 43 percent consider the task somewhat difficult, and 22 percent find it very difficult to identify fake news. 

However, 23 percent of the respondents said it was "somewhat easy" to identify fake news in the media, while another 12 percent believe it was "very easy."

According to Stratbase President Dindo Manhit, fake news continues to pose a significant risk in the Philippines, particularly during elections, in both traditional and online media.

The survey had 1,800 respondents.

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