The relentless misinformation and disinformation that have gone rampant in this day and age have put the role of trusted institutions—media, schools, universities, and the academe—in a critical juncture. Traditionally, these pillars of truth and knowledge served as the backbone of democracy, helping citizens make informed decisions. Yet, over the years, politicians have weaponized doubt, systematically eroding public trust in these institutions.
Take, for instance, ex-president Rodrigo Duterte, whose political campaign effectively turned social media into a field for disinformation. According to an Oxford University study titled “Troops, Trolls and Troublemakers: A Global Inventory of Organised Social Media Manipulation,” Duterte’s political machinery was found to have deployed a cyber army or troll farms to manipulate online discourse, deflect criticism, and attack dissenters.
Some narratives even painted certain media outfits, scholars, and journalists (as well as targeted political enemies) as untrustworthy purveyors of lies. In fact, Duterte himself called Oxford University “a school for stupid people,” in jest, perhaps, or not.
During the Duterte presidency, the attacks didn’t stop at questioning mainstream media credibility; they also targeted individuals.
Maria Ressa, the Nobel Prize-winning journalist and CEO of Rappler, is one such casualty. Ressa and her team were vilified online, accused of spreading fake news, and branded as enemies of the state. The systematic harassment extended to legal persecution, with Ressa facing multiple court cases, a clear message to other journalists that dissent would not be tolerated.
Duterte’s labeling of critics as “communists” or destabilizers wasn’t mere rhetoric—as proven by the numerous arrests and lawsuits brought against perceived dissenters.
The success of these campaigns hinged on turning the public against the very institutions they should trust. The media became a scapegoat for those in power to deflect scrutiny. Trust in traditional information sources eroded, replaced by a growing reliance on echo chambers and social media influencers who often peddle propaganda.
Unfortunately, the situation isn’t confined to national politics. As Baguio City and Benguet prepare for the 2025 elections, troubling signs are emerging in the local media sector. Reports of journalists aligning themselves with specific candidates have surfaced, raising questions about the impartiality of some local media outlets.
When journalists abandon their duty to present objective, balanced reporting, they undermine the very foundations of the fourth estate. This erosion of trust only fuels the paranoia that has already been sown over the years against mainstream media.
Voters may begin to question every piece of information in news reports, no matter how credible. This can aggravate the dangerous path disinformation has taken us on, where truth becomes indistinguishable from falsehood.
The responsibility of the media is clear: It must uphold its integrity by presenting facts without fear or favor.
The fourth estate must resist becoming a pawn in the hands of politicians, whether national or local. Journalists must commit to presenting all sides of an issue, so the public can make informed choices based on facts, not propaganda.
