#HoldTheLine: Campaign to fight for truth amid disinfo, attacks on press

We’re in a battle for truth.

The technology and algorithms that govern our online world not only allow disinformation to thrive but have also made it possible for dictators, autocrats, and those with immense power and machinery to create false claims and alternate realities online. 

Why does this matter? Nobel Peace Prize laureate Maria Ressa described our current online landscape best: “Without facts, you can’t have truth. Without truth, you can’t have trust. Without trust, we have no shared reality, and it becomes impossible to deal with our world’s existential problems: the coronavirus, climate, the atom bomb that exploded in our information ecosystem when journalists lost gatekeeping powers to technology companies.”

False propaganda on social media that red-tags advocates and other progressives has also made them vulnerable to harassment and killings. And for many Filipinos, attacks on journalists and the spread of disinformation will even make it tougher for them to engage in meaningful conversations and access verified information.

#HoldTheLine campaign

We at MovePH, Rappler’s civic engagement arm, believe that fighting disinformation is no longer just a job for journalists. All of us have a role to play in this battle for truth. All of us can #HoldTheLine.

In early October, Rappler CEO Maria Ressa and Russian journalist Dmitry Muratov were awarded the Nobel Peace Prize “for their efforts to safeguard freedom of expression, which is a precondition for democracy and lasting peace.”

While it is a valuable recognition of journalism’s role in today’s world, a lot of work needs to be done. The recognition, while important, does not erase the fact that disinformation persists, journalists around the world are threatened, detained, or even killed, and people with power to change things remain unaccountable for their inaction. 

MovePH is running a month-long campaign, starting Wednesday, November 10, to Friday, December 10, to celebrate press freedom and highlight everyone’s role in our collective battle for truth.

Here are some events and activities organized by Rappler and partners of MovePH. Check these out and learn how you can help #HoldTheLine with us:

• November 12 – Rappler’s #HoldTheLine briefing with lawyers*
• November 13, at 1 pm – MovePH’s “Digital hygiene: How to manage online risks in the age of disinformation”*
• November 13, at 4 pm – MovePH’s “#CourageON: Pushing back against disinformation” community show
• November 19 – Rappler’s #HoldTheLine briefing with journalists*
• November 20, at 1 pm – MovePH’s “Media and democracy in crisis: How to be a responsible digital citizen” webinar*
• November 22 – Press freedom forum of DAKILA
• November 27, at 6 pm – MovePH’s “Fighting infodemic: Disinformation, fact-checking, and the 2022 elections” webinar
• December 4 – Rappler’s “#HoldTheLine ideathon: Fighting online attacks against the press”*
• December 9 – “A Thousand Cuts” screening in Sydney, Australia 
• December 10 – Nobel Peace Prize Awarding Ceremony
• December 11 – #CourageON community show on the #HoldTheLine campaign

– Rappler.com

*Events are invite-only