First District Councilor Bonz Andre Militar on Tuesday raised concerns on the integrity and reliability of information circulated online during the 16-day siege of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) compound by the Philippine National Police (PNP).
In his privilege speech, Militar emphasized the importance of accurate, fair, and truthful reporting and sharing of information.
“The recent events here in Davao City, particularly the 16-day police operation at the Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) compound, have raised serious concerns about the reliability and integrity of the information being circulated. We have all witnessed the challenges posed by the spread of unverified and conflicting reports,” he said.
Militar, chairperson of the Committee on Information and Technology, also said that one of the crucial things the public realized over the past weeks has highlighted, how crucial it is for the public to receive timely and accurate information.
“Given the complexity of the situation, we acknowledge that it was not easy to acquire information regarding what’s really happening on the ground. Many of us were left relying on information shared on social media or reports from mainstream media,” he said.
However, according to him, people monitoring the situation, including himself, were confronted with different versions of the same story each one colored by its source or platform.
“This flood of varying accounts has left many Dabawenyos confused, anxious, and, at times, misinformed,” he said.
Militar said misinformation and disinformation breed fear, create panic, and will only confuse people.
“This brings us to an undeniable truth: Misinformation and disinformation are not just inconveniences; they are dangerous,” he said.
He said that responsible journalism lies an important principle, which is news must not be tailored to fit the interests of any individual or group.
He reminded that news must serve only one purpose: to present the bare truth.
“No matter how inconvenient or uncomfortable it may be.
The crucial part of telling a news story will sometimes depend on where it’s coming from and how accurate is the information,” he said.
Militar said the challenge for journalists is how to be as accurate, balanced, and as fair as possible in delivering the reports.
“These days, with the advent of social media, it has been much easier to post and share information. I take this opportunity to urge everyone, whether you are from mainstream media, online news platforms, or social media influencers—to recommit to the highest standards of journalistic integrity. Before publishing or sharing any report, we must first ensure that it is accurate, verified, and free from bias. Public trust rests on your shoulders, and with that trust comes the responsibility to provide the truth,” he said.
Militar urged news sources to provide timely and truthful information that the people need to know.
“I encourage everyone to be vigilant in discerning the information they consume and share. Let us cultivate the habit of cross-checking facts before forwarding news or forming opinions,” he said.
