Democracy Watch calls on civil society groups to ramp up voter education efforts now that voter registration has ended. With the widespread disinformation the country encounters today, it is necessary to engage the public and remind them of the value of choosing the right leaders.
Because of the mobility restrictions posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, much of the campaigning efforts for the 2022 elections have shifted online. This, combined with Filipinos’ heavy internet and social media usage, increases the risk that Filipino voters are exposed to election-related disinformation.
Given this threat of disinformation, there is a greater burden on civil society groups and concerned stakeholders to promote proper awareness and educate the public on voting leaders with integrity and honesty. The youth, in particular play a key role in this battle against election-related disinformation because of their familiarity with social media platforms and the kind of content that resonates with virtual audiences.
Democracy Watch thus calls on different stakeholders to be vigilant in cyberspace – by being critical of what they read online, by taking part in flagging fake news and fact checking information that spreads online. Finally, Democracy Watch encourages citizens to participate in these available voter education activities. These spaces can help Filipino voters decide who to vote for in the coming elections.