Leyte Normal University (LNU) President Dr. Evelyn B. Aguirre lauded on Thursday the Presidential Communications Office (PCO) for bringing its “Campus Caravan” in the university to train students on information literacy to combat fake news and disinformation.
Aguirre said PCO’s Campus Caravan, its information drive and other programs are among the government’s effective tools to raise awareness among the youth on the proliferation of fake news and disinformation in social media and other platforms.
Aguirre said easy access of information on social media is also dangerous to students especially with the proliferation of fake news and black propaganda that can manipulate their minds.
“This community campus caravan is indeed timely and very relevant,” Aguirre told the more than 800 LNU students who joined the PCO’s first day of the two-day Campus Caravan on Thursday at the LNU HRDC Gymnasium.
“Hence, I commend; I greatly appreciate the Presidential Communications Office for bringing the Community Campus Caravan to the Leyte Normal University, and for taking the initiative to provide a platform for the understanding of the media and information literacy to our dear constituents here in the university,” she added.
Aguirre said digital literacy is also important in battling the spread of fake news and misinformation, as she expressed hope that LNU students will be more responsible and more critical in accessing the internet and using social media platforms.
In a video message, PCO Secretary Cheloy Velicaria-Garafil extended her gratitude to the LNU for hosting the Campus Caravan, saying the university’s warm response showed their commitment to strengthen the government’s efforts against fake news.
“Naniniwala tayo na malaki ang bahagi ng akademya at mga kabataang Pilipino sa adhikain natin na mapalaganap ang tama, maayos at napapanahong impormasyon hinggil sa mga programa ng pamahalaan at sa ilalim ng pamumuno ni Pangulong Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. ,” Secretary Garafil said.
Secretary Garafil said the Campus Caravan is PCO’s way of providing relevant information to the people on the agency’s advocacies and programs being the primary communications arm of the government. PND
