Meta lauds Philippines for having 'most robust' fact-checkers globally

MANILA: Social media giant Meta on Tuesday praised the Philippines as home to some of the "most robust" fact-checkers in the world, while highlighting its ongoing efforts to curb misinformation across its platforms.

Speaking at a House of Representatives Tri-Committee hearing on online disinformation, Meta's Director of Public Policy for Southeast Asia, Dr Rafael Frankel underscored the critical role of local third-party fact-checkers in reducing the spread of false content on Facebook and Instagram.

Frankel said Philippine-based fact-checking partners include VERA Files, Rappler and Agence France-Presse, the Philippines News Agency (PNA) reported.

"When it comes to misinformation... we can send content to fact-checkers to verify, or they can act independently.

"In the Philippines, we see very robust fact-checkers. I think we have some of the most robust fact-checkers in the world operating here," Frankel told the committee.

He noted that Meta prioritises content moderation based on severity, focusing first on posts involving child exploitation, incitement to violence, and terrorism.

Frankel also expressed Meta's openness to working with Philippine lawmakers on regulatory frameworks.

"I'd be more than happy for Meta as a company to engage with the Philippine government and Congress on any type of regulations you are considering.

"We have many years of experience working with governments across Southeast Asia, the Asia-Pacific, and globally to develop modalities and regulations that both protect users and uphold freedom of expression," he said.

-- BERNAMA