Mindanaotoday.com | MisOr info unit intensifies fight vs fake news
By: Jan Albert Araña
MISAMIS ORIENTAL – The Provincial Government of Misamis Oriental (PGMO), through the Provincial Information Office (PIO), has strengthened its communication arm by holding a seminar for local government unit (LGU) public information officers to hone their communication skills, December 9.
“This is one of our steps through our office so that we can arrange and train every information officer [in the province] to make accurate and factual news that they can give in their respective municipalities and barangays regarding their various activities and programs,” Provincial Information Officer Filemon Aguilar Jr. shared.
The PIO and its guest lecturers taught the participants about the duties and responsibilities of information officers, how to tell the difference between fake news and real news, how to share information during emergencies, and how to write and gather news on a basic level.
They also talked about how important it is for information officers to give accurate and factual information to every Misamisnon.
With the changes brought by the rapid digitalization of the media landscape, the PIO aims to counter fake news that might circulate in the different municipalities and cities in the province, particularly about the programs and projects of the government.
Aguilar also said that the said capacity building is just the beginning and that all information officers should expect more training to improve their skills and abilities.
He also said that the provincial PIO will strengthen its links to the Philippine Information Agency Region 10 and its Misamis Oriental Information Center to be able to give better capacity-building seminars to the information officers of the different municipalities and cities in the province.
The PIO is positive that all Misamisnons will receive the right information and that fake news will be lessened.
The same office also promises to be open and ready to help municipal and city information officers at all times. (JAKA | PIA-10 | Misamis Oriental)
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