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Straits Times
8 hours ago
- Politics
- Straits Times
Filipinos see politicians as top source of disinformation, says Reuters study
Philippine Senator Ronald dela Rosa (front) drew flak from social media users after fact-checkers found evidence that a video he shared was a deepfake. PHOTO: REUTERS Why Filipinos see politicians as the top source of disinformation – A study that found Filipinos see politicians as the top source of disinformation online has underlined the rise in distrust towards the country's leaders, amid intensifying rivalry between the Marcos and Duterte camps. A 2025 Reuters Institute Digital News Report released on June 17 found that Filipinos are more likely than people in other countries to blame politicians for the spread of false information online According to the survey, 55 per cent of Filipino respondents identified politicians as major sources of disinformation, ahead of online influencers (48 per cent), activists (38 per cent), journalists (37 per cent), foreign governments (34 per cent), and others. This is higher than the global average, where respondents generally identified both politicians and influencers as the biggest culprits in spreading disinformation, at 47 per cent each. The Reuters report polled 97,055 people in 48 territories in total, including 2,014 Filipinos. The report noted that disinformation 'surged in the Philippines over the past year – fuelled by the widening political rift between President Ferdinand Marcos Jr and Vice-President Sara Duterte'. 'The fallout peaked with Duterte's impeachment in February, followed a month later by the arrest of her father, former president Rodrigo Duterte, who faces charges of crimes against humanity before the International Criminal Court (ICC) over his bloody war on drugs,' it said. Associate Professor Danilo Arao, who teaches journalism at the University of the Philippines, told The Straits Times that Filipinos may have grown weary of what he described as a 'sustained, organised' operation of disinformation networks, which often parrot statements made by Filipino politicians. He cited a probe by local newspaper Philippine Star in March, which found that about 20 seemingly unconnected Facebook accounts had posted identical texts framing former president Rodrigo Duterte's arrest by the ICC as 'kidnapping'. These were similar to the statements made by Mr Duterte's children, several of whom hold elected posts in the Philippines, including the Vice-President. 'Of course this went beyond the period of review of the Digital News Report, but these are continuing patterns of disinformation,' Dr Arao said. 'And when you have the government, especially certain government officials, spreading disinformation, then naturally, people will become disappointed.' The Reuters survey, conducted from mid-January to late February in 2025, coincided with the start of the campaign period for the May midterm election in the Philippines. The percentage of Filipinos concerned about disinformation has gone up, the survey found, from 63 per cent in 2024 to 67 per cent in 2025. The use of artificial intelligence (AI)-generated content to spread disinformation is a particular cause for concern. On June 15, two Duterte allies – Senator Ronald dela Rosa and Davao City Mayor Sebastian Duterte, the Vice-President's brother – both shared on social media a video showing supposed interviews with male students condemning the moves of Marcos-allied lawmakers to impeach Ms Duterte. But Mr Dela Rosa later drew flak from social media users after fact-checkers from Philippine newsrooms such as Rappler and found evidence that the video he shared was a deepfake generated by AI. Defending himself, he said on June 16: 'I don't care if this post is AI-generated... because I am not after the messenger. I am after the message.' This is part of a worrying trend in the Philippines, where politicians may not understand the perils of sharing AI-generated content, said political scientist Jean Encinas-Franco from University of the Philippines. 'My sense is that very few politicians really understand what AI is all about. It's a little bit worrisome that they're not very concerned about the impact of how AI is used,' she said. Also contributing to public anxiety over disinformation in the Philippines, noted Dr Arao and Dr Franco, are narratives backing Beijing's position in the maritime dispute over the South China Sea, where both the Philippines and China have competing claims. In recent months, Philippine defence officials have raised concerns over alleged Chinese malign influence operations, including disinformation campaigns and suspected espionage activities in the country. In April, Filipino Senator Francis Tolentino accused the Chinese Embassy in Manila of orchestrating a 'hidden and sinister' disinformation campaign to influence public opinion with pro-Beijing narratives, targeting not only the South China Sea dispute but also midterm election candidates critical of Beijing's claims. China has denied the allegations. 'We're dealing with sovereignty issues, and it's also very emotional because it's intricately linked with patriotism and sense of nationhood,' Dr Franco said. 'If you're a Filipino, and you see fake news articles that are pro-Beijing, you'll get mad about these things'. Dr Arao said some Filipino content creators known to support the Dutertes often echo pro-China views, a holdover from the time Mr Duterte made a pivot towards Beijing during his presidency from 2016 to 2022. Still, both analysts said domestic disinformation fuelled by local politicians and their supporters remains a bigger concern than foreign influence for now. Mr Marcos has called for vigilance against disinformation amid his heated political rivalry with the Dutertes. Yet a 2022 study by researchers at the Philippine Media Monitoring Laboratory also found years-long disinformation attempts on social media to whitewash abuses during the nine brutal years of martial law under Mr Marcos' father, the late strongman Ferdinand Marcos Senior. The same researchers said Mr Marcos himself benefitted from these disinformation efforts when he ran successfully for president in 2022. Dr Arao and Dr Franco said Filipinos have to be more discerning of the information they consume on social media. They said newsrooms should continue fact-checking efforts. Dr Arao also suggested a revision of the school curriculum to integrate lessons on media literacy and fact-checking for students. 'We need critical thinking. We have to ensure that critical pedagogy will not be compromised and will not be discouraged in our educational system. That's how we fight disinformation,' he said. Mara Cepeda is Philippines correspondent for The Straits Times. Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Los Angeles Times
19-05-2025
- Health
- Los Angeles Times
Smart Screens Are Supporting Eye Health, Preventing Burnout, and Boosting Creativity
LA Times Studios may earn commission from purchases made through our links. You're doomscrolling again. Somewhere between your fifth news alert and your 40th Instagram Story, your eyes start to sting. You're not sure if you're tired, anxious, overstimulated, or all of the above. And you're definitely not alone. Welcome to the age of screen fatigue. According to the latest Reuters Institute Digital News Report, 39% of Americans are actively avoiding the news, a three-point jump from just a year ago. Not because they're tuning out, but because they're maxed out. It's not apathy. It's emotional survival. This is what happens when our screens outpace our capacity to engage with them. As Healthy Vision Month arrives this May, it's a good time to ask: What if the solution to screen fatigue isn't disconnecting, but redesigning the experience entirely? If you've ever rubbed your eyes during a video call or felt fried after back-to-back scrolls, you're not imagining things. Eye strain is real, and so is the toll it's taking on our focus, energy, and emotional bandwidth. The American Optometric Association says more than 50% of people who spend over three hours a day on screens experience Computer Vision Syndrome: a cluster of symptoms that includes blurry vision, headaches, dry eyes, and fatigue. 'There's a well-documented link between extended screen time and visual fatigue, which has become a near-universal issue for people working and living in front of digital devices,' says George Toh, Vice President and General Manager of Lenovo's Visuals Business. He's not anti-screen, just pro-awareness. 'With so much of our daily life spent in front of screens, being intentional about how we use them (and for how long) is key to avoiding their impact,' he explains. Toh recommends starting small: implement the 20-20-20 rule (every 20 minutes, look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds), and take stock of your setup. 'Adjust your viewing distance, optimize angles and posture, reduce glare. These changes sound simple, but they add up fast,' he says. He's also quick to point out that many devices now offer built-in wellness features. 'We're seeing more screens with posture nudges, break reminders, and adaptive settings, but building your own habits is still the most important first step.' Not long ago, screen innovation meant higher resolution, faster refresh rates, and deeper contrast. All great for visual performance, but what about the user? 'Today's users expect displays to be intuitive and support comfort, wellness, and long-term usability,' says Toh. That shift has pushed display makers like Lenovo to rethink the fundamentals, starting with the eyes. 'Displays are now being built with anti-glare coatings and low blue light technology,' he notes. 'A lot of premium monitors are certified to meet international standards like Eyesafe and TÜV Rheinland Eye Comfort, which ensure low strain without compromising visual quality.' It's not just about what's on the screen, it's how the screen fits into your physical space. 'We've moved from an era when the user adjusts to the monitor to one where the monitor adjusts to the user,' says Toh. Height, tilt, and swivel adjustments are now the norm on professional-grade displays. Toh believes that the future of screen innovation is all about digital resilience, the ability to use technology in a way that supports physical, cognitive, and emotional well-being over time. 'At its core, digital resilience is about helping people engage with their digital environment in a safe, healthy, and sustainable way,' he explains. This means adaptive screens that respond to your lighting, your activity, and even your posture. 'We already have displays that use ambient sensors to adjust brightness, and presence detectors that power down when you walk away,' says Toh. But the next wave is even more personalized. 'Soon, we'll see displays that shift color temperature throughout the day, cooler in the morning, warmer in the evening, to align with our circadian rhythms,' he says. 'And AI will allow screens to learn your habits: optimizing contrast, lowering refresh rates for reading, bumping them up for gaming.' In other words, your screen will know when you need to wind down before you do. If you're worried that an 'eye-friendly' screen means sacrificing vibrancy or sharpness, Toh is happy to prove otherwise. 'The beauty of recent innovations in display technology is that we no longer see a trade-off between high engagement and good health; we can have both,' he says. Toh explains that when visual comfort is dialed in (accurate color, minimal flicker, reduced blue light), it actually enhances productivity and focus. 'High-quality visuals naturally pull users into the task at hand,' he says. 'And when you're not straining or distracted by discomfort, you stay in the creative zone longer.' Comfort, in this case, isn't just physical. It's mental. 'When a user is physically at ease, they're more likely to stay engaged and spark creativity,' says Toh. 'That's where performance and well-being intersect.' We're heading into a future where your monitor isn't just a tool, it's part of your wellness ecosystem. 'We now have displays that are flexible, curved, and adjustable for different workflows,' says Toh. 'But what's really exciting is how AI and sensors will allow these screens to sync with your environment—and with you.' Imagine a setup where your screen, chair, desk, and even wearable devices work together to improve your posture, recommend breaks, or reduce eye strain automatically. 'In a decade, these features could be standard,' Toh predicts. 'Monitors will learn from your behavior and respond to your needs without you lifting a finger.' The goal isn't more tech, it's smarter, kinder tech. We're not getting fewer screens any time soon. But we can make them work better for our eyes, our mood, and our creativity. 'A display designed with well-being in mind helps users stay focused on what matters most—whether you're a creative professional or a casual user,' Toh says. And in a world where our devices are with us from the moment we wake to the moment we sleep, that kind of design isn't a luxury. It's a necessity. In a world where screens are non-negotiable, the real game-changer isn't logging off, it's leveling up. So instead of fearing burnout or dodging notifications, take a beat. Reset your relationship with your screens. Because clarity, on your screen and in your mind, starts with seeing things differently. Click here to learn more about Lenovo
Euronews
19-02-2025
- Euronews
Young Europeans face rising threat from misinformation as social media becomes main news source
It's official: social media is now the number one news source for young people in the EU, surpassing television and both print and digital media. According to the latest European Parliament Youth Survey, 42% of Europeans aged 16 to 30 rely mainly on platforms such as TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube to access news about politics and social issues. This shift reflects changing attitudes toward news consumption – speeding toward a fast-paced, easily accessible model – and puts younger generations at an increasing risk of disinformation. The younger the respondent, the more likely they were to depend on social media. The report revealed that teens between the ages of 16 and 18 trust TikTok and Instagram more than any other platform. Meanwhile, those aged 25 to 30 rely significantly less on TikTok (29% compared to 51% of 16-18 year-olds) and Instagram (41% compared to 52%). Instead, they prefer Facebook, which is twice as popular among them (36%) compared to the youngest group (17%). However, respondents aged 25 to 30 are ultimately still more inclined to get their news from online press platforms (30%) and radio (19%), compared to just 21% and 13% among 16-18 year-olds, respectively. This is cause for concern: another investigation, the 2024 Reuters Institute Digital News Report, revealed that TikTok is a blatant source of misinformation, with 27% of users finding it difficult to identify deceitful content. Meanwhile, Instagram's parent company, Meta, recently decided to relax its fact-checking system by implementing community notes instead – which, as demonstrated by Elon Musk's X, are often unreliable. Trusting the feeds over the institutions Europeans are aware of the risks and recognize the dangers plaguing their feeds. 76% percent of those surveyed had encountered fake or deceitful news in just the past week; among them, 15% faced disinformation "often", and 32% 'sometimes'. Still, they remain loyal to bite-sized news sources, with Instagram being the most popular (47% favoured it), followed by TikTok and YouTube. Facebook and X are lagging behind among the younger generations, while WhatsApp was the main news source for 16% of young users. The social media news cycle is driven by influencers and alternative media, rather than traditional news outlets. This makes it harder for users to verify facts, while also diminishing their faith in mainstream journalism. It also, as highlighted by the report, decreases their trust in political institutions: 21% of the young people surveyed expressed scepticism toward the EU, and 15% admitted they skipped the 2024 EU vote due to a lack of information. In parallel, they are becoming increasingly reliant on their social media platforms as vehicles for activism, as opposed to just voting or participating in protests and petitions. When it comes to politics, fake news and altered content (including images and videos created using Artificial Intelligence) has been used to influence public opinion to the point of manipulating elections and polarizing society. A 2016 fabricated statement claimed that Pope Francis had publicly endorsed Donald Trump during his first presidential campaign, while a similar 2018 story said Shakira was boycotting Israel during her world tour. But the problem is also psychological: constant exposure to false information, which is often alarming and sensationalistic, can increase anxiety, confusion, and mistrust of traditional media. This is overwhelming many young social media users, pushing them to avoid news altogether and fostering ignorance.
