PCO Urges Public to Adopt ‘STOP and SPOT’ Approach for Responsible Information Consumption

Makati – The Presidential Communications Office (PCO) has called on the public and the youth to take action against false information encountered on various social media platforms by reporting it and refraining from sharing it. The PCO aims to combat misinformation and disinformation through responsible information consumption and the adoption of the ‘STOP and SPOT approach.’

According to a new release by the Philippines News Agency, during the ‘Maging Mapanuri’ Conference on Media and Information Literacy held in Makati, PCO Undersecretary Emerald Ridao emphasized the importance of collective responsibility in safeguarding the truth in an age where falsehoods threaten to obscure it.

Ridao introduced the ‘STOP and SPOT approach’ as a practical guide for responsible information consumption:

Stop to Spot the Source: Consider who is sharing the information. Is it from certified experts or random individuals on the internet? Credible, verified sources are more likely to provide accurate information.

Stop to Spot the Purpose: Examine why the information is appearing on your feed. Is it sensationalizing certain angles, or is it genuinely sharing factual information? Understanding the purpose behind the content can help separate fact from fiction.

Stop to Spot the Time: Scrutinize the timeline of the information release. Is it new, old, or possibly outdated and irrelevant information disguised as news?

Ridao acknowledged that policing the internet and eliminating every falsehood would be a never-ending battle. Therefore, the PCO focuses on education to address the challenge, particularly by partnering with the Department of Education (DepEd) and the Commission on Higher Education (CHED).

PCO Assistant Secretary Patricia Martin expressed optimism that the discussions at the conference would equip participants with the tools, knowledge, and strategies needed to effectively combat misinformation and disinformation. The PCO sees the ‘Maging Mapanuri’ conference as a necessary paradigm shift and a movement against false information.

The PCO launched its Media and Information Literacy (MIL) campaign in collaboration with various public sector partners and tech companies to educate students and the public about identifying and countering fake news, misinformation, and disinformation.