PPI-NAC Scholastic Outreach Program Let's Get Real on Fake News - Baguio Leg

1. 206 BF Condominium, Intramuros, Manila
Tels. 527-9632/527-4478. Fax 5273390
http://www.philpressinstitute.net
PPI SCHOLASTIC SEMINAR
LET’S GET REAL ON FAKE NEWS
in partnership with NICKEL ASIA CORP.
With support from the
University of the Cordilleras
Baguio City
April 12, 2017
Rationale:
The adventof social mediahasbeenbotha boonand a bane for society.There isnogainsayingthe fact
that today’sonline communicationchannelshave made interactionswithotherpeople,albeitvirtually,
evenforthe most flimsyreasons — sucha cinch.Indeed,gettingintouchwithkithandkinalike — no
matterthe distance — nowcomeswithlittle effortandatrelativelycosts.(A definite boonforOFWs
and theirfamilies.)Welcometothe virtual world!
The benefitsprofferedbythese electronictoolsmaygofar beyondmakinglifeconvenientforindividual
membersof society,because theyarguablyhave value fordemocracy.Considercitizensbeing
emboldenedtospeaktheirminds(forsome withlittleregardfor decencyanddecorum) ona broad
range of issues,ofteninvolvingpowerful figuresthatbristle atbecomingembroiledinavirtual storm.
Why,eventhose livingunderauthoritarianorrepressive states,whothinknothingof allowingan
independentpress,have embraceddigital mediatovoice theirdissentonmattersof publicinterest —
and fightrepression.
Yet the same toolsbeingusedforexpandinganddeepeningpublicdialogue,andenhancingcivicand
political engagementwhile empoweringmarginalized sectors,are alsobeingwieldedtoundermine such
and similarends.The adventof ‘fake news’,‘alternative facts,orsimplyput,outrightlies,clearly
illustratesthistroublingrealitythatisrewiringpublicdebate,andsocietiesatlarge,inthe digital age.In
the Philippinesandelsewhere inthe worldthe proliferationof fake newsispolarizingsocietyand
deepeningthe political divide.This,ata time whenpeopleshouldbe reapingincreasingdigital dividends
not onlytoenhance theirindividual andcollectivewell-beingbutalsotoensure more responsive,
efficient,andtransparentpublicgovernance.
Thisseminar— interestingly,one of manynow takingplace inthe Philippinesandelsewhere inthe
world— couldn’tbe more timely,includingforyoungpeople,who,like othersegmentsof society,can
be unwitting(orwitting) toolsinthe spreadof hoax news.
It will explore questionssuchas:What isfake news?How to spot fake news?Isfake newsanew
phenomenon?Howisitunderminingdemocracy?Whatcan be done to stopit?
These questions — andmore — will be tackledinPPI’sscholasticseminar.

2. PROGRAM
MORNING
9:00 - 9:30 am Welcome Remarks
Prof.RonaldTa-a,Head, Mass Communication,Universityof the Cordilleras
OpeningRemarksandIntroduction
Ariel C.Sebellino,PPIExecutive Director
9:30 - 10:15 am Scanningthe Digital Landscape
TessBacalla,PPI TrainingDirector
10:15 - 10:30 am COFFEE/TEA BREAK
10:30 - 11:00 am Real News:Gettingthe Lowdown
Frank Cimatu,Correspondent,PhilippineDailyInquirer
11:00 - 12:00 pm The Real Deal onFake News
TessBacalla,PPI TrainingDirector
12:00 - 1:30 pm LUNCH
1:30 - 2:00 pm CivicJournalism 101: EnhancingCivicEngagement
Ariel C.Sebellino,PPI Executive Director
2:00 - 3:15 pm MediaForum (Q&A)
3:15 - 3:30 pm COFFEE/TEA BREAK
3:30 - 3:45 pm Covenant signing
3:45 - 4:00 pm ClosingRemarks
SoniaDaoas,Trustee for Luzon,PPI
Studentrepresentative