BY CLIFFORD JAMES L. DANDUAN/UM Intern
A LAY group called on Filipino youths to step up to the frontlines of truth-seeking and accountability while speaking the truth with love to combat the growing spread of misinformation online.
During the Davao Peace and Security Press Corps briefing at The Royal Mandaya Hotel on Wednesday, April 15, Lunar Fayloga, co-convenor of Bayanihang Layko for Accountability, Reform, and Upright Governance (BARUG Layko), reminded Filipino youths to go beyond passive use of social media, highlighting the need to engage in national issues.
”For the youth today, social media is already part of your world. It is a very powerful tool, and you now have a platform for expression. We hope you won’t just keep posting selfies or filtered and unfiltered photos, but also use this opportunity to speak about what is happening in our country,” he shared during the briefing.
However, Fayloga cited St. Paul’s teaching, which emphasizes not only speaking the truth but speaking with love to avoid harming people and communities.
”St. Paul says it’s not just about speaking the truth, but it’s also speaking with love. Because we can use the truth to destroy people, to destroy communities,” he added.
In addition, Jon Gales, BARUG co-convenor, also encouraged the youth to discern the information they receive, as fake news persists in the digital age.
”I hope you sustain that fire in you by trying to question the information that you receive at hand, because we have a swarm of a lot of information, many of them are fake news, but I hope in the process, you will always discern what the truth is,” he shared.
In the end, Gales hopes youths will join lay organizations like BARUG Layko, as they need young people to search for and spread the truth.
