Agusan del Norte 2nd District Rep. Dale Corvera has filed a bill that aims to make the creation and spread of fake news and information on social media a criminal offense.

Corvera filed House Bill (HB) No. 8789 on Monday, seeking to minimize, if not eradicate, the spread of fake news and to curtail the negative impacts of false information on the different social media platforms.

“Social media has become an integral part of our lives. Unfortunately, some people take advantage of social media by creating and disseminating false information, stories, or news to gain popularity and profit,” the lawmaker said in a statement Wednesday.

The proposed measure would also amend certain provisions of Republic Act No. 10175 or the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012.

As of December 28, 2020, 73.9 percent of Filipinos aged 10 to 64 are using social media, according to the Philippine Statistics Authority.

“Millions of Filipinos with internet access rely on social media to get updates and a daily dose of all kinds of global and local news,” Corvera said.

Alongside the reliance of Filipinos on social media, however, is the spread of false information and news that continue to mislead the public, he said.

It is sad to note, he said, that fake news and information also cause unnecessary alarm, disturbance, and damage to affected individuals. (PNA)

Photo credit: House of Representatives Official Website