NPC attends Senate hearing on ‘fake news’

National Press Club of the Philippines (NPC) President Lydia Bueno and Club Secretary Paul Gutierrez, Pinoy Exposé publisher, listen intently as Sen. Robin Padilla, chair of the Committee on Public Information and Mass Media, gave his opening remarks during the first public hearing of Senate Resolution 191 that seeks to provide a national policy on “fake news,” November 28, 2022.

With the aim of helping the government in the campaign for public awareness on the menace of fake news, the NPC propose that the government utilize RA 11699, that mandates all government instrumentalities, both local and national, including private media organizations, to commemorate August 30 of each year not only as the birthdate of Gat. Marcelo H. Del Pilar, the ‘Father of Philippine Journalism’ but also as the country’s ‘National Press Freedom Day.’

The law provides that both the public and private sectors must draw up programs during this day to remember not only the greatness of Gat Del Pilar but also, the important role of a free, responsible, and patriotic media in a democracy.

The NPC said the occasion can also be used in the campaign to spread public awareness on the menace posed by fake news and that the NPC support Sen. Padilla’s call for a ‘whole of government’ approach to address the problem (photo credit: Cesar Morales).