Part 8/11:
The psychological toll on journalists and public figures caught in these campaigns is immense. Maria Reza and her colleagues recount the relentless wave of online hostility, which threatens the safety and integrity of the press. The situation complicates efforts to combat misinformation: as fake accounts become more sophisticated, sometimes operated by humans rather than simple bots, detection and countermeasures become increasingly challenging.
The Philippine government’s response has been mixed. While the president’s press team acknowledges the danger of online hate and disinformation, the solution remains elusive. Some advocate for stricter regulation, but critics argue that efforts to stifle online speech could infringe on free expression rights.