Philippines presidential hopefuls say social media platforms should be held accountable

Philippine Vice President Maria Leonor “Leni” Robredo declares her candidacy for president, in Quezon Metropolis, Metro Manila, Philippines, October 7, 2021. REUTERS/Lisa Marie David

MANILA, March 19 (Reuters) – The Philippines’ presidential candidates debating on Saturday agreed on no less than one factor and that was the necessity to maintain social media companies answerable for the unfold of disinformation because the nation prepares for elections on Might 9.

With the coronavirus pandemic disrupting conventional campaigning, candidates and supporters are more and more turning to social media to succeed in voters, prompting issues about on-line hate speech and disinformation.

“Social media platforms must be made accountable as a result of they’re housing disinformation,” Vice President and opposition chief Leni Robredo stated within the debate.

Retired boxing champion Manny Pacquiao, who can also be operating for president, stated creators of pretend information must be punished.

One other candidate, Manila metropolis mayor Francisco Domagoso, additionally stated social media companies must be held accountable for permitting pretend accounts on their platforms.

The candidates didn’t title which social media corporations might be punished.

Representatives for Meta Platforms’ Fb (FB.O), Alphabet’s (GOOGL.O) YouTube, Twitter and TikTok, all fashionable social media platforms within the Philippines, didn’t instantly reply to requests for remark.

Frontrunning candidate Ferdinand Marcos Jr didn’t take part within the presidential debate organised by the nation’s election physique.

Analysts say the recognition of Marcos, the namesake and son of the Philippines’ late dictator, stems from a efficient social media technique concentrating on the youth.

Greater than 67 million Filipinos are eligible to vote on Might 9 to pick out the Southeast Asian nation’s subsequent president, vice chairman and roughly 18,000 native officers.

Reporting by Neil Jerome Morales; modifying by Jason Neely

Our Requirements: The Thomson Reuters Belief Ideas.