Join #FactsFirstPH community learning series on responsible digital citizenship

MANILA, Philippines – Digital technology is evolving rapidly. While social media can be used for social good, the same online tools have also been weaponized to mislead the public, cultivate an online culture that thrives on hate, create echo chambers, and polarize a nation.

Given this kind of online landscape, what does it take to be a responsible social media user? Why does digital citizenship matter?

These are some of the questions that the #FactsFirstPH initiative, through Rappler’s civic engagement arm MovePH, aims to answer in its five-part community learning series on responsible digital citizenship.

The series aims to highlight the importance of digital citizenship, especially in practicing civic engagement and promoting media and information literacy.

The first session, dubbed “Understanding the digital world we live in and our role in it”, was conducted on-ground in Lipa, Batangas last July 19. (READ: Reclaim the narrative: Understanding the role citizen journalism plays in the digital world) This session was done in partnership with De La Salle Lipa, LAVOXA Group of Publications, the Department of Interior and Local Government Calabarzon, and the Local Governance Regional Resource Center (LGRRC).

A special session on #ZeroCasualty, highlighting the importance of facts during disasters, was also held with various disaster risk reduction and management experts and advocates. During that session, groups discussed how communities and families can get more involved in disaster response and mitigation. This session was co-organized by Caritas Philippines, Media Educators of Mindanao, Oxfam Pilipinas, UP Visayas’ iWrite, The Gateway Publication of Central Mindanao University-College of Arts and Sciences, Explained PH, Bike Scouts, Center for Disaster Preparedness, and Youth Advocates for Climate Action Philippines. 

The remaining four sessions will be held virtually via Zoom from August to December 2023. All webinar sessions are free of charge but slots are limited. 

This series is in partnership with several schools and organizations in the Philippines, namely:

• Ateneo de Davao University’s Senior High School Unit – Media and Information Literacy Cluster
• Caloocan Young Leaders Initiative
• Explained PH
• FEU ACP3 Peace To All Youth Organization
• Foundation for Media Alternatives
• Guimaras State University 
• Holy Angel University
• Holy Name University’s The Communicator’s Guild
• iWrite UP Visayas
• Media Educators of Mindanao
• Philippine Normal University Mindanao Student Government
• Saint Paul Seminary
• The Gateway – Central Mindanao University – College of Arts and Sciences
• Umalohokan, Inc.
• Xavier University Development Communication Department

Interested participants may sign up for all or any of the following sessions:

Civic engagement and participation

Friday, December 8 at 4 pm

This session aims to showcase the potential and power of citizens in promoting facts and active civic engagement, and how this can influence change in their communities. It will feature talks on how communities can participate in solutions journalism and multisectoral collaboration for social good.

Register here to join the fifth session.

Staying informed in the digital age

Tuesday, November 28 at 4 pm

This session will feature talks aimed at teaching participants how to access their information sources and understand some of the principles and methods guiding the work of journalists.

Register here to join the fourth session.

Combatting disinformation

Friday, October 27 at 4 pm

This webinar session will focus on tackling the basics of fact-checking and how it works, and training participants to spot disinformation online and combat it. 

Register here to join the third session. 

Digital rights and responsibilities

Thursday, August 31 at 4 pm

For this webinar session, a discussion on digital rights and responsibilities will be tackled. Participants will also learn about basic digital hygiene and how to manage and deal with online risks.

Speakers include Mona Magno-Veluz (known on TikTok as Mighty Magulang), and Nerve’s Brand Strategist Bernice Soriano.

Register here to join the second session.

MovePH is also open to hearing from organizations interested to partner for the #FactsFirstPH community learning series. Feel free to reach out to move.ph@rappler.com.