The media has a major role in helping the government prepare the public to cope with possible conflict.
Sen. Robinhood “Robin” C. Padilla stressed this late Wednesday after chairing a consultative meeting on the role of media in disseminating public information during times of conflict.
Padilla, who chairs the Senate Committee on Public Information and Mass Media, also disclosed plans to chair a similar meeting in the near future to define the role of social media during times of conflict.
“Kaya itong pagpupulong na ito napakagandang message nito, na nasa likod ng taumbayan ang media. Siyempre ang taumbayan, ang gobyerno nasa likod ninyo. Aasahan namin inform nyo kami kung anong hakbang ninyo at ang pinakamaganda, kami ang kakampi ninyo para sa taumbayan kasi yan ang kailangan eh (Our meeting today sends a good message, that the media and government are behind the people. We expect them to give us relevant and timely information, and to work together for the people),” he said at the hearing attended by representatives of government agencies and government and private media outlets.
“Ang taumbayan natin kahit anong sabihin natin handa yan magtiis at makipaglaban pero in the end kailangan ng leader niyan at kailangan ang gobyerno sa kahit anong panahon, maramdaman ng tao na nandiyan ang gobyerno maging kalamidad o maging giyera man yan, kailangan nakatayo ang gobyerno para malakas ang loob ng ating taumbayan (Our people are prepared to face danger but they need someone to lead them, and they need government especially during times of calamity or war. The government for its part must always make its presence felt so the people will remain strong),” he added.
Padilla asked the media to make sure its messaging in times of conflict will be geared toward peace.
“Kapayapaan pa rin. Kasi wala tayong makukuha sa conflict. Di naman siguro mahirap yan gawin na kahit tayo sinasabi natin ready kami, pero nandoon pa rin lagi na ang Pilipino mahal natin ang kapayapaan (Our messaging must always be peace because there is nothing to gain from conflict. We must be prepared for conflict but we cannot deny Filipinos love peace),” he said.
Meanwhile, Padilla said he plans to hold another meeting, this time with representatives from social media outlets, after resource persons cited the need to stop some social media personalities from disseminating unverified or exaggerated information – as well as to prepare against new threats like deepfakes.
“Sa susunod pupulungin namin ang social media (We will meet with representatives of social media next),” he said.
