Regarding it as a positive sign amid concerns about the impact of social media on young people.
Last Thursday, August 27, Malacañang said Tha Facebook has responded to government requests to remove fake news and violent content from its platform.
Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Undersecretary Claire Castro said the latest information reaching Malacañang showed that Facebook has been cooperating with the government, particularly in quickly removing problematic posts.
“Lahat naman tayo gumagamit ng Facebook. Ang huling impormasyon na nakarating sa atin ay may mga pagkakataon na kapag kinakailangan i-take down ang isang post na nagpapakita ng karahasan, o fake news, ay tumutugon naman ang Facebook,” Castro said during a press briefing.
Notably, the development came two days after Malacañang said that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s is open to the possibility of imposing broader restrictions on Facebook and other social media platforms concerning fake news and violent content and their effects on young people.
The press officer stated, “Noong Martes po ay nasabi po natin dahil ito din po ang nakita ng CICC (Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center) at ng DICT ngunit makalipas ng dalawang araw ay binigyan po tayo ng impormasyon na ang Facebook particular ang Facebook ay tumutugon naman daw po sa mga dapat na gawin especially sa mabilisang pag-takedown ng mga fake news.”
Although, she clarified that the President’s openness to possible broader restrictions does not mean the administration plans to ban all social media platforms that fail to respond to government concerns.
Instead, the government would continue to engage social media platforms and encourage them to cooperate in addressing harmful content.
“Mahirap na kausapin at hindi po ito ibig sabihin na kapag naman iyong iba na mga social media platforms ay hindi tumutugon ay lahat naman po ay dapat na ma-ban. Hindi po iyon ang nais ng ating Pangulo at ng ating administrasyon,” Castro said, who also told that the social meria giant’s cooperation should encourage other social media platforms to work with the government to prevent the spread of fake news and violent content.
Hence, the Palace official also urged other platforms, particularly gaming applications, to address content that could negatively affect young people and potentially encourage violent behavior.
“So, pero ito po ay isang hudyat na rin para sa ibang mga lumalabag, lalong-lalo na iyong mga gaming apps na alam natin na nakakaapekto sa ating mga kabataan na maaring magdulot ng pagiging kanilang marahas at bayolente,” she said.
Meanwhile, Castro said the government currently has no major concerns about Facebook’s response to requests involving fake news and violent content.
“Kung open man ang Pangulo, sa ngayon ang pinakahuling impormasyon, wala namang masyadong nagiging problema ang ating pamahalaan sa Facebook,” she said.
