Altermidya raises concern over the proposed “Anti-Fake News and Digital Disinformation Act” or House Bill (HB) 2697, sponsored by presidential son Rep. Alexander “Sandro” Marcos, and backed by House Speaker Faustino “Bojie” Dy III.
We believe that it is a dangerous measure that potentially threatens free expression, press freedom, and the people’s right to dissent.
Granting the state broader powers to determine what constitutes “false information” is deeply alarming and undemocratic.Instead of addressing the problem of disinformation, the bill could instead open the door to broader state censorship and intensified attacks against critical voices in the public domain, including journalists, activists, critics, and ordinary social media users.
As lawmakers from the Makabayan Bloc have warned, such a measure risks creating a chilling effect, where fear of criminal prosecution discourages people from speaking critically on urgent social and political issues.
We are alarmed at the rushed manner by which the bill was approved. It was elevated to the plenary immediately after committee approval and passed on second reading after only a brief debate. This undermines the need for Congress to be transparent, consultative, and democratic in its deliberation of proposed bills of this consequence.
Claims that the bill protects freedom of expression by exempting satire, journalism, and “good-faith mistakes” do little to address potential abuse of this proposed legislation. It is especially dangerous in the current political climate where state agencies and powerful and moneyed interests have repeatedly weaponized laws against critics and independent media. As we have seen in the actual implementation of laws such as the Anti-Terror Law and Anti-Terrorist Financing Act, vague and broadly worded legislation has often been used selectively. Often targeted are not the actual purveyors of organized disinformation campaigns within government and big businesses but those who actually expose corruption, abuse, and state repression.
Disinformation is a real problem that should be addressed. But criminalization, increased government control over online speech, and intensified platform surveillance are not the solution. Disinformation has clearly been overwhelmingly used by those with political and economic power. Addressing the problem starts at investigating and pursuing those elite interests with well-funded propaganda machinery.
At the same time, the Filipino public needs stronger support for independent media, a genuine campaign for media literacy, transparency and accountability from public officials, and protection for journalists, content producers, and truth-tellers, not another law that can be wielded to silence dissent and critical thought.
Altermidya stands with journalists, digital rights advocates, media workers, and people’s organizations in opposing measures that endanger civil liberties under the guise of combating “fake news.” We call on lawmakers to reject this dangerous bill and uphold the people’s democratic rights and welfare.
