THE Manila Times joined prominent media organizations, academic institutions, and the Commission on Elections (Comelec) in launching a campaign to stop the proliferation of fake news and deepfakes.

The Times Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Dante "Klink" Ang II on Friday signed the covenant, "Panata Kontra Fake News," in ceremonies at the GMA-7 Studio in Quezon City.

"Fake news is both dangerous and harmful, but the truth is glorious and useful. It fosters an informed populace, essential for a functioning democracy and a stronger society," said GMA Network Chairman Felipe Gozon during the covenant signing.

Other signatories were Philippine Daily Inquirer President and CEO Rudyard Arbolado; Manila Bulletin Publishing Corp. Publisher Herminio Coloma Jr.; Manila Standard Publisher Rolando Estabillo; Daily Tribune President Willie Fernandez; Malaya Chief Executive Officer Antonio Macasaet; and Business Mirror Publisher T. Anthony Cabangon.

Also pledging their support are PEP Editor-in-Chief Jo-Ann Maglipon; Rappler Co-Founder and Executive Editor Glenda Gloria; #FactsFirstPH Coalition Representative Pia Ranada; Sunstar President Gahum Vincent Garcia; PressOne.PH Multimedia Editor Niceforo Vince Balbedina III; AllTV President Maribeth Tolentino; ZOE Broadcasting Network Inc. Programming, Sales and Marketing Head Nestor Layderos; Catholic Media Network President and CEO Rev. Fr. Francis Lucas; MBC Media Group President Ruperto Nicdao Jr.; Far East Broadcasting Co. represented by DZAS Station Manager Josephine Alabastro; and Quest Broadcasting Inc. (Magic 89.9) DJ Tina Ryan.

Signing their commitment as well are Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster ng Pilipinas President Noel Galvez; Philippine Press Institute Executive Director Ariel Sebellino; Manila Overseas Press Club Chairman Antonio Lopez; Foreign Correspondents Association of the Philippines Board Member Regine Cabato; National Union of Journalists of the Philippines Chairman Jonathan de Santos; and Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism Training Director Rowena Paraan.

Signatories from the academe are Adamson University President Fr. Daniel Franklin Pilario, CM; De La Salle University Provost Dr. Robert Roleda; National University Senior Director for Corporate Marketing and Communications Adolfo Aran Jr.; University of the East Director Marketing and University Relations Department Edilberto Sulat Jr.; University of the Philippines Los Baños Director of Public Relations Mark Lester Del Mundo Chico; and Polytechnic University of the Philippines President Dr. Manuel M. Muhi.

Joining the alliance are the member schools of the National Collegiate Athletic Association.

Also supporting the campaign is the digital platform Google.

The Manila Times Chairman and CEO Dante Ang 2nd, along with other media groups, signs a covenant against fake news on Aug. 30, 2024. Dubbed 'Panata: Kontra Fake News,' the event was  held at the GMA-7 studio in Quezon City. PHOTOS BY ISMAEL DE JUAN The Manila Times Chairman and CEO Dante Ang 2nd, along with other media groups, signs a covenant against fake news on Aug. 30, 2024. Dubbed 'Panata: Kontra Fake News,' the event was  held at the GMA-7 studio in Quezon City. PHOTOS BY ISMAEL DE JUAN The Manila Times Chairman and CEO Dante Ang 2nd, along with other media groups, signs a covenant against fake news on Aug. 30, 2024. Dubbed 'Panata: Kontra Fake News,' the event was  held at the GMA-7 studio in Quezon City. PHOTOS BY ISMAEL DE JUAN The Manila Times Chairman and CEO Dante Ang 2nd, along with other media groups, signs a covenant against fake news on Aug. 30, 2024. Dubbed 'Panata: Kontra Fake News,' the event was  held at the GMA-7 studio in Quezon City. PHOTOS BY ISMAEL DE JUAN The Manila Times Chairman and CEO Dante Ang 2nd, along with other media groups, signs a covenant against fake news on Aug. 30, 2024. Dubbed 'Panata: Kontra Fake News,' the event was  held at the GMA-7 studio in Quezon City. PHOTOS BY ISMAEL DE JUAN The Manila Times Chairman and CEO Dante Ang 2nd, along with other media groups, signs a covenant against fake news on Aug. 30, 2024. Dubbed 'Panata: Kontra Fake News,' the event was  held at the GMA-7 studio in Quezon City. PHOTOS BY ISMAEL DE JUAN The Manila Times Chairman and CEO Dante Ang 2nd, along with other media groups, signs a covenant against fake news on Aug. 30, 2024. Dubbed 'Panata: Kontra Fake News,' the event was  held at the GMA-7 studio in Quezon City. PHOTOS BY ISMAEL DE JUAN The Manila Times Chairman and CEO Dante Ang 2nd, along with other media groups, signs a covenant against fake news on Aug. 30, 2024. Dubbed 'Panata: Kontra Fake News,' the event was  held at the GMA-7 studio in Quezon City. PHOTOS BY ISMAEL DE JUAN

Ang said The Times "has been committed to delivering trustworthy content to our readers, and so we are happy to partner with our colleagues in media led by GMA to combat disinformation and misinformation."

GMA President and CEO Gilberto Duavit Jr. said the media has a huge responsibility in reminding the people to be more discerning in choosing the news or information they get from social media.

"On our end, we remain vigilant that the news we put out is imbued with integrity and we double-check and confirm the sources and quality of the news we deliver to the public," Duavit said.

A September 2022 Pulse Asia survey showed that nine out of 10 adults believe fake news is a problem, while a 2021 Social Weather Station (SWS) poll indicated that 67 percent consider fake news online as a serious problem.

SWS also said 51 percent of respondents said it was difficult to spot fake news.

Comelec Chairman George Garcia told The Times the media has a vital role in exposing misinformation and disinformation during elections.

Garcia said Comelec is working toward regulating the use of artificial intelligence (AI) during election campaigns.

"If you are running for an elective post, it must be you, and you must be truthful, and everything about you must be genuine, particularly your promises to the people, and we need to elect true but not fake candidates," he said.

Garcia said he was confident other sectors of society like the church, urban poor groups and election watchdogs like the Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting, Legal Network for Truthful Elections, and National Citizens' Movement for Free Elections would launch their own campaign to stop fake news and deepfakes.