Watchdog raises alarm over PNP clampdown on 'fake news' vloggersMANILA, Philippines — Moves by the Philippine National Police to punish online content creators allegedly spreading disinformation to "destabilize" the Marcos administration should be viewed with caution due to the police's history of interfering with free speech, according to media watchdog Center for Media Freedom and Responsibility (CMFR). "The report about the police's intent to interfere with the media and the public forum creates a climate of fear. Leaders of both the PNP and AFP have denied supporting a destabilization plan against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., with PNP spokesperson Col. Jean Fajardo saying that while content creators have the right to free speech, "we are also asking them to spare the PNP." The PNP said that it will file criminal complaints against the vloggers and ask social media companies Facebook and YouTube to remove the "fake" destabilization plot videos, Fajardo said on Saturday. In 2022, alternative news site Kodao Productions reported the Baguio City police's red-tagging of journalists as part of their counterinsurgency campaign.

Source: Philippine Star January 08, 2024 22:10 UTC