NAVIGATING the challenges in the digital age and addressing the increasing prevalence of false information, deep fakes, and media manipulation, THE BEDAN HERALD held a media and information literacy webinar, “Digital Disrupt,” via Google Meet last Sept. 13. Nathan Manaog (IV-BACMS), chief cartoonist, and Maristella Magdangal (II-BSP), website manager of TBH, spearheaded the event. 

     In her opening remarks, Prof. Estrella Torres, the current publication adviser, emphasized the role of technology in the rapid advancement of news and information delivery. “As writers, we must equip ourselves with the technological advancement to protect people’s right to have access to truthful and accurate news and information,” she said. 

     The sole speaker of the event, Prof. Vane Ignacio, the TBH Volume 28 publication adviser and former department chair of Communication and Media Studies, centered her talk on “The Irony of Truth: Dealing with Information Disaster.” In her introduction, she demonstrated the students’ role in recognizing misinformation in the digital age. “As student journalists, you have on your shoulders an enormous responsibility to always bring out the truth no matter what the circumstances are,” she expressed. 

     Prof. Ignacio highlighted the pillars of fake news: motivation, dissemination services, and social media. She further explained factors that persuade people to believe fake news, such as repeated exposure, aligned ideological perspectives, and self-enhancing reasons. This is followed by the discussion of various reasons why people share fake news on social media, including high trust in the content on social media, less inclination to verify information, and openness to share information online. 

     “Journalists are the chroniclers of history,” Prof. Ignacio said as she discussed journalism as the first key to measure democracy. She also emphasized the importance of media as the primary source of information. “Real journalists should be biased for truth,” she added. 

     The struggles of misinformation were also explored as a severe challenge to journalism. In line with that, Ignacio shared her concepts on information accuracy, highlighting the campaign to fight misinformation and disinformation in society. She explained the relevance of making it a habit to debunk or verify information received, ensuring that all information is accurate. 

     The former TBH adviser also elaborated on digital citizenship, and the key features are respect, education, and protection. She believes these elements are crucial for embodying the principles of responsible digital citizenship. Prof. Ignacio ended her talk with the quote, "When power insists, you are either with us or against us, the space for a diversity of voices and ideas shrinks. When hate and anger are weaponized, it creates a spiral of silence.” 

     The event ended with the closing remarks from Magdangal as she emphasized the goal of the event. “Today’s seminar, The Digital Disrupt, was to help students to become responsible media users. I hope everyone takes away the importance of being wise online and not falling for fake news,” she concluded.