Read this in The Manila Times digital edition.

POLICYMAKERS and others should look more closely at the Pulse Asia survey on fake news before reacting. With so many Filipinos concerned about it, the tendency might be to clamp down so hard on the problem that even free speech is affected.

For starters, the questions Pulse Asia asked seem problematic. It does not actually define fake news, relying only on the respondent's understanding of that term. Second, the survey questions inaccurately equate fake news with words like "untrue," "false" and "misinformation." For instance, one survey question reads: "How often do you read, hear, or watch news about government and politics that are untrue or fake news?"

Granted, no universal definition of fake news exists, but the concept suggests that it refers to something deliberate or intentional and perhaps motivated by something sinister. As such, it would be more appropriate to liken fake news with black propaganda and disinformation.

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In contrast, information that is false merely because of an error or is inadvertently misleading in other words, misinformation does not make it fake. More importantly, opinion that is disagreeable or unpopular should not be lumped into that category.

Far too often in recent years, political figures have used fake news as a shield when their views and interpretation of facts are challenged, often by mainstream media or by rivals and critics. Admittedly, that tactic has had some success in blunting legitimate criticism, but prevailing in an argument does not make one right or truthful. Certainly, slapping on that label does not make the challenger or the questions posed to dubious politicians as false or fake.

Moreover, it may be simplistic, inadequate or even inappropriate to identify fake news by invoking that famous quote from the late American politician, Daniel Patrick Moynihan. "You are entitled to your own opinion. But you are not entitled to your own facts," he said.

There are many things in life which are not, as they say, black and white. Take for instance the depreciation of the Philippine peso. Is it good or bad? According to economists, that depends on whom one asks. Recipients of dollar remittances will say it is good, even as importers insist that it is bad.

The problem is not limited to economists, who often give more than one answer to a question. In Philippine history, the locals who fought the Americans in the 1900s were called insurrectionists, but in the eyes of Filipinos, they were freedom fighters fighting against colonialists who merely supplanted the Spaniards in exploiting this country.

The examples mentioned in this space demonstrate the complexity in legislating or legally prohibiting fake news. And it is not hard to imagine how some powerful people might misuse the campaign against fake news to silence contrarian views, disagreeable comments, and generally the right of people to question them. Even in history, progress happened after enough people questioned norms and other widely held beliefs.

Positive take

There is another way to interpret Pulse Asia's survey results. The overwhelming concern about fake news, whatever that may be to every respondent, suggests that people are beginning to develop a habit of questioning news and other information that they consume. That is relevant because the best defense against fake news is critical thinking.

The survey also reported that 55 percent of the respondents were confident in their ability to detect fake news. Only 7 percent said that they were not confident. That seems encouraging, but not surprising.

After all, fake news is not new, neither are echo chambers which are also blamed for spreading and amplifying disinformation. Published studies give many examples of fake news that date back more than a century. And despite the longtime presence of that menace, the world has not ended. Life went on, as people became better educated, more experienced, and generally less impressionable.

Also, previous generations have given people today several aphorisms that may serve as antidotes against fake news, like do not believe everything you read or watch on television. One could also turn to great philosophers, like Ren Descartes who said: "Doubt is the origin of wisdom."

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Think before reacting to survey on fake news - The Manila Times