The University of the Philippines Visayas (UPV) is hosting a three-day national online conference on February 22, 24, and 26, which gathers prominent media personalities, educators, civil society representatives, and advocates to discuss disinformation and democracy in various contexts – media, health, law and governance, and education.
The unprecedented growth of the digital platform, especially that of social media, in the last decade has intensified the call to fight disinformation. Dubbed as UP Visayas’ largest gathering of media personalities, advocates, and academics, the 3rd National Conference on Democracy and Disinformation runs under the theme, “New Normal, New Media: The Emerging Challenges of Disinformation in the Philippines.”
Invited speakers include Endy Bayuni of the Jakarta Post, Rappler CEO, Maria Ressa, Senator Risa Hontiveros, and Atty. Chel Diokno, Chairperson of Free Legal Assistance Group. The conversation continues despite the physical distance as the university, in partnership with the Consortium on Democracy and Disinformation, UPV Division of Humanities, UPV IPO, DYUP 102.7 FM, Rappler’s MovePH, and the Daily Guardian, brings the discussion online through a Zoom webinar where 1,000 participants coming from the various parts of the country are expected to attend.
Each conference day is going to focus on a particular field and theme, with plenary speakers leading the discussions. An open forum follows to allow participants to engage with the speakers.
Day 1 (February 22) – Taking Root: Campus Journalism and Beyond
Day 2 (February 24) – Clickbait: Media and the Rise of Disinformation
Day 3 (February 26) – Power of the People and the Press
The national conference headed by UP Visayas is part of a series of activities for a project with the Consortium on Democracy and Disinformation. The consortium is a nationwide network of journalists, academics, bloggers, and civil society representatives in the Philippines, supported by the Ateneo de Manila University, De La Salle Philippines, Holy Angel University, and the University of the Philippines. The consortium has four university-based hubs: Holy Angel in Angeles City, Ateneo de Manila in Quezon City, University of the Philippines Visayas in Iloilo, and Mindanao State University in Marawi City.
The conference is free and interested participants must register through this link: https://bit.ly/2MApdU4
For updates, check the event’s social media accounts:
Facebook Page – 2021 Democracy and Disinformation by UP Visayas
Twitter – @DandD_2021
Instagram – @DandD_2021
