MANILA, Philippines – Opinions should be grounded on facts. But what can be done when some think facts are optional when stating an opinion? What happens when people choose to label facts as “biased” especially if they don’t align with their beliefs?

What is put out on social media has great influence on people’s beliefs. Regardless of whether this content is an opinion or not, all individuals have a responsibility to uphold truth-telling in our online spaces to avoid contributing to the massive disinformation and misinformation problem.

Vloggers, artists, and even national institutions have at times spread false claims and accusations to shape public perception. Some school textbooks have also been found lacking in thorough discussions of history, which potentially leads to historical distortion and the reinterpretation of historical accounts. What is shared online has real-life consequences.

These factors potentially leave communities vulnerable to online disinformation, affecting their way of understanding history and reducing their ability to empathize with certain issues.

How exactly can fact-checking help uphold transparency and accountability? What can we do to help combat the potential impacts of historical distortion? Why should facts always come first?

This will be discussed in depth in the upcoming #CourageON webinar titled, “What the FACT: The primacy of truth over personal opinions,” happening on Friday, October 21, at 1 pm. 

The community show aims to put the spotlight on pressing issues in the Philippines and the ways we can take collective action on them. It is organized by Rappler’s civic engagement arm MovePH and Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom, in partnership with the Senior High School – Leadership Development Program, the Arrupe Office for Social Formation, and the Ignatian Spirituality Formation Office of Ateneo de Davao University.

The show will feature the following speakers:

• Pauline Macaraeg – Rappler digital forensics researcher
• Mike Pante – Ateneo de Manila University assistant professor and Tanggol Kasaysayan member

This will be hosted by Rappler’s head of community Jules Guiang and Ateneo de Davao University SHS Blue Ridge moderator and Davao Writers’ Guild, Inc. vice president Reil Benedict Obinque.

The show will happen on Zoom. Only limited slots are available. 

Interested participants may register here.

Registration is open until Thursday, October 20, at 5 pm. If you signed up past the deadline or have any questions about the event, you may send an email to move.ph@rappler.com. Registered participants will receive a confirmation email from MovePH on or before October 20.

Those unable to register may also check out the Facebook Livestream via MovePH and Ateneo de Davao University’s pages. – with reports from Gaile Patanñe/Rappler.com