In the context of the celebration of the Human Rights Month this December, the Delegation of the European Union to the Philippines will hold a media literacy webinar titled “Countering Infodemic in this Pandemic” on 14 December 2020, 4- 6 p.m., to shed light on the current state of play in disinformation in the Philippines and the practical ways to counter it.

With the global epidemic comes misinformation spreading through social media platforms, further aggravating the situation. Exposure to misleading or outright false information erodes trust among citizens, institutions, and even in media. It also abets in undermining democracies by impeding the ability and right of citizens to make informed decisions. Most importantly, it impairs freedom of opinion and expression—a fundamental right enshrined in the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union.

The webinar will feature a distinguished roster of speakers who will share their expertise and insights on the state of play of disinformation in the country: Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Manny Mogato, Democracy Reporting International co-founder and executive director Michael Meyer-Resende, and ANC anchor and 2020 Marshall McLuhan fellow Christian Esguerra. Manila Standard News Editor Joyce Panares will serve as the moderator, encouraging a healthy discourse among the speakers and invited journalists from the Philippine media and international publications and organizations.