‘Facts Now, Feelings Later’: PhilSTAR L!fe launches anti-disinformation campaign ahead of 2025 midterm elections
Ever reacted to something without thinking, only to find out that what you knew was not complete and true in every detail after all? It doesn’t only happen in day-to-day situations with the people we know, but the posts we come across on social media, too.
Disinformation, while not new, continues to be on the rise now as the 2025 midterm election approaches. This is why ahead of the upcoming polls, PhilSTAR L!fe is launching Facts Now, Feelings Later: an advocacy campaign that aims to combat disinformation by promoting cautious, mindful consumption and sharing of online content.
"Disinformation often preys on emotions. That’s why it’s important to prioritize facts and logic when evaluating and sharing information online,” L!fe publisher and project lead Sheila Paras said.
The project comes at a time when—as Rep. Johnny Pimentel, who serves as the vice chair of the House Committee on Information and Communications Technology, put it—the amount of disinformation on the Internet is at a “crisis” point, with fake news against electoral candidates being spread rampantly across digital platforms like Facebook, X, and TikTok.
"Disinformation campaigns and the proliferation of fake news not only mislead citizens, but they also undermine trust in our institutions, weaponize public opinion, and threaten the very foundations of our democratic processes," he said at a House Tri-Committee hearing on fake news, disinformation, and cybercrimes this April.
Just last month, a Social Weather Stations poll with 1,800 respondents showed that most Filipinos (65%) have a hard time figuring out whether a news item online is real or fake. Commissioned by Stratbase Group, the same survey showed that the majority of Pinoys (59%) see fake news as a “serious” problem.
While we still have a long way to go in the battle against disinformation as it involves a collective effort from the government, online platforms, industry leaders, among many others, each of us has a significant role to play as individuals who consume and share social media content on a regular basis.
With the launch of Facts Now, Feelings Later, PhilSTAR L!fe invites you to lead the fight and take responsibility as the force of disinformation continues to appear bigger than it is amid the election season. As Paras said, "This campaign is our way of reminding people not to be easily manipulated: Before you react, take a step back and breathe. Do some research and check your facts first."
