Thread by @rapplerdotcom

HAPPENING NOW: #FactsFirstPH
WRECKordings: How Distorted Online Information Manipulates Perceptions

WATCH HERE: web.facebook.com/watch/live/?re…

Dr. Micheal Alba, President of the FEU, kicks off the webinar by stressing how disinformation is stressing our shared reality, especially now in the time of elections. He ends by calling on each of us to take on the fight against disinformation. | via @Renzo_Arceta #FactsFirstPH

@Renzo_Arceta Maria Ressa, CEO of Rappler and Nobel Peace Prize laureate quickly says hi to the attendees of today's webinar. | via @Renzo_Arceta #FactsFirstPH

@Renzo_Arceta Our first speaker is Mr. Muyot, a technical consultant with the FEU. His talk will be on "Narratives and Tactics in Alternative Online Videos." | via @Renzo_Arceta #FactsFirstPH

Here is a link to his full text presentation: publicpolicy.feu.org.ph/articles/narra…

@Renzo_Arceta Muyot argues that critical thinking skills are not enough to discern the truth. The prerequisite is the need for facts, which is growing more challenging to accept in a post-truth world. | via @Renzo_Arceta #FactsFirstPH

@Renzo_Arceta He adds that it is in the classrooms that we can increase our ability to spot fake news, particularly in 'Araling Panlipunan' classes. | via @Renzo_Arceta #FactsFirstPH

@Renzo_Arceta LOOK: Muyot's research finds that a spike in candidate interest was seen on YouTube this election season. This shows that the platform is a source that Filipinos use to learn more about their candidates. | via @Renzo_Arceta #FactsFirstPH

@Renzo_Arceta LOOK: Pacquiao leads in terms of alternative videos – videos created by non-traditional media organizations, or simply, videos made by content creators. An example being vloggers commenting on public events. | via @Renzo_Arceta #FactsFirstPH

@Renzo_Arceta In Muyot's research, he identifies the "BBM-verse." This consists of three objectives:
1. Shame critics of BBM
2. Endear BBM to the public
3. Sow discord between other candidates

| via @Renzo_Arceta #FactsFirstPH

@Renzo_Arceta The other strategy is to discredit non-BBM scenarios. This includes the promotion of criticisms of the other presidential candidates. | via @Renzo_Arceta #FactsFirstPH

@Renzo_Arceta Muyot: They also try to pit the candidates and the supporters of other candidates against each other to 'clear the path' for Bongbong Marcos. | via @Renzo_Arceta #FactsFirstPH

@Renzo_Arceta "Whoever is behind these videos, if this is a coordinated effort, they are trying to cover all bases," Muyot says on the efforts to push for BBM, as well as to claim that he was cheated in previous elections and that he might be cheated again. | via @Renzo_Arceta #FactsFirstPH

@Renzo_Arceta In closing, Muyot argues to "give attention to better uses for technology." This involves building communities around better content creators, those that use their platform for social good. | via @Renzo_Arceta #FactsFirstPH

@Renzo_Arceta Veteran journalist @IanEsguerra is our first panelist for today's webinar. He prefaces his reaction by posing the question, "Can you imagine a vote informed by a lie?" | via @Renzo_Arceta #FactsFirstPH

@Renzo_Arceta @IanEsguerra Esguerra: From revisionism there is a distortion then there is denialism.

He adds that denialism has become so rampant and affects even "political kingpins and state actors." | via @Renzo_Arceta #FactsFirstPH

@Renzo_Arceta @IanEsguerra Is fact-checking enough? @IanEsguerra argues that it may not be enough to combat the reach of disinformation. | via @Renzo_Arceta #FactsFirstPH

@Renzo_Arceta @IanEsguerra .@IanEsguerra adds that TikTok must not be a ground that we will yield. He cites the number of self-proclaimed historians spreading false information. And the need for academics to come into these platforms and correct misinformation. | via @Renzo_Arceta #FactsFirstPH

@Renzo_Arceta @IanEsguerra Dr. Vicente Fabella, President of Jose Rizal University, will be speaking on the main presentation as well as on how schools can nurture critical thinking skills. | via @Renzo_Arceta #FactsFirstPH

@Renzo_Arceta @IanEsguerra Fabella mentions that the easy answer to the debate on Martial Law is to simply add more of it to the curriculum. In addition, he adds the need for teachers to be professional gatekeepers and the need for teacher training. | via @Renzo_Arceta #FactsFirstPH

@Renzo_Arceta @IanEsguerra He also stresses the need for libraries and how they should be the go-to place for verifying information. | via @Renzo_Arceta #FactsFirstPH

@Renzo_Arceta @IanEsguerra Fabella argues that we need to declutter the curriculum to make space for students to learn and make mistakes and explore the process of verification, as well as the need for more resources for students. | via @Renzo_Arceta #FactsFirstPH

@Renzo_Arceta @IanEsguerra Ross Ahnel Ramos is the next panelist. She is the FEU Institute of Education Student Council Chairperson. | via @Renzo_Arceta #FactsFirstPH

@Renzo_Arceta @IanEsguerra Ramos adds that teachers have now become fact checkers and have joined the fight against disinformation, especially in this election cycle. | via @Renzo_Arceta #FactsFirstPH

@Renzo_Arceta @IanEsguerra Ramos encourages the youth sector to read as much as they can and to go beyond the headlines. | via @Renzo_Arceta #FactsFirstPH

@Renzo_Arceta @IanEsguerra Ramos adds that the youth sector needs to engage in purposeful dialogue, and not let emotions get the better of them. She says young people often engage in angry or argumentative discussions online. | via @Renzo_Arceta #FactsFirstPH

The next question is for Maria Ressa, on how we can pressure tech giants to act on mis- and dis-information. Ressa: In 2016, when we first handed them the data, they did not know about it... But we are seeing them act now. | via @Renzo_Arceta #FactsFirstPH

Ressa adds that: this was because the data was brought to light and now the context has changed. She stresses that we must keep giving them the data and keep pressuring them to act. | via @Renzo_Arceta #FactsFirstPH

On who is Marcos Jr.'s biggest threat based on his study, Muyot argues that it is: VP Leni Robredo, Manny Pacquiao, and Isko Moreno. | via @Renzo_Arceta #FactsFirstPH

On who is Marcos Jr.'s target audience, Muyot's study shows that most videos are those in Tagalog and feature vloggers speaking Tagalog. As well as a trend in kalye survey-styled videos, implying that the audience may be the same kind featured in these videos. | via @Renzo_Arceta

That's a wRap!

You can rewatch the #WRECKordingsPH webinar here. #FactsFirstPH

facebook.com/watch/live/?re…