Rappler launches webinar series on digital media, technology and society

In the age of social media, how can we cultivate a society that is media and information literate?

With the coronavirus pandemic scaling up digital media use, and with the continuous spread of online disinformation, dealing with “fake news” requires more than just being able to spot suspicious claims. 

Not too long ago, we witnessed how social media can be used for social good. The power of digital media fueled participatory journalism, strengthened civic engagement and public discourse. This is true in times of emergencies and disasters where we see people joining hands to build communities of action that are responsive to the needs of others.

While this is still evident today, the same social media tools have been weaponized to mislead the public, sow an online culture that thrives on hate, create echo chambers, and polarize a nation.

This online landscape saturated with disinformation casts doubt on media organizations as purveyors of truth and threatens democracy across the globe. 

Education plays a big role in combating this and cultivating a culture that respects and understands the critical role of the media in the survival of democracy. 

Specifically, there is a need for media and information literacy to enable individuals to think critically about the media and the information they consume creating an impact both online and offline. The aim, according to UNESCO’s definition of media and information literacy, is to allow individuals to become engaged citizens and responsible decision-makers.

Being able to think critically about media and information is a crucial skill that cultivates an active, informed, and involved digital citizen that plays a significant role in protecting democracy. 

MovePH, the civic engagement arm of Rappler, is leading a webinar series on digital media, technology, and society in partnership with the Friedrich Naumann Foundation and De La Salle Philippines.

This webinar series, which has 4 sessions, aims to promote media and information literacy in the Philippines. The sessions aims to also help participants have a more critical understanding about the evolution of journalism and the online environment in the Philippines including the potentials and problems it poses, the different kinds of risks online, and the emerging trends on how digital media is being used for manipulation. 

Register to all or any of these sessions of the webinar series:

Digital media landscape: Power, potential, harm

Saturday, November 7, at 4 pm

The session will tackle the online landscape in the country, the reality that social media users are faced with, and the importance of journalism in the digital age.

Rappler CEO and award-winning journalist Maria Ressa will be the speaker of the first session.

She will be joined by Australian journalist Dr Julie Posetti of the International Center For Journalists. As the Global Director of Research at the ICFJ, Posetti leads action–research projects at the intersection of digital journalism, disinformation, gender and media freedom.

During the webinar, Posetti will be giving a talk on “Countering the ‘Disinfodemic’: The role of MIL.”

Digital hygiene: How to manage online risks in the age of disinformation

Saturday, November 21, at 4 pm

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

Lawyer and former chief of the complaints division of the National Privacy Commission (NPC) Francis Acero will be joined by Rappler’s head of Digital Strategy Gemma Mendoza and Rappler’s data curator Michael Bueza for this session.

Media and democracy in crisis: How to be a responsible digital citizen

Saturday, November 28, at 4 pm

This webinar session will focus on media and democracy in crisis, specifically on how Filipinos can be responsible digital citizens.

There will be a panel discussion with Rappler’s executive editor Glenda Gloria, Philstar.com’s editor-in-chief Camille Diola, and former executive director of Foundation for Media Alternatives (FMA) Al Alegre. This will be moderated by Rappler’s multimedia reporter Camille Elemia.

Participants will learn more about the role of media and digital media in democracy, citizen rights and responsibilities on social media, and the digital media’s impact on democratic discourse.

The webinar is free but slots are limited. Register here to join.

Fighting infodemic: Fact-checking during a pandemic

Saturday, December 5 at 4 pm

This webinar session will focus on training participants to spot disinformation online and combat it. 

Rappler’s head of digital strategy Gemma Mendoza will tackle the online landscape during the pandemic. Rappler’s researcher/writer Vernise Tantuco will discuss the fact-checking methodology.

This webinar session is free but slots are limited. Register here to join.

 – Rappler.com