[Be The Good] Our choices make or break a nation
After millions of Americans cast their vote for president, the whole world is reminded how individual choices can make or break a nation. As I write this, voting hours are winding down for many states (check our handy guide on voting hours per state). Initial results are expected within the day.
More than a choice between Kamala Harris and Donald Trump, Americans are choosing which version of the United States of America they want. As voters of the world’s foremost superpower, their choice affects all of us too.
If you, like us, are anxious about the results and want someone to talk to or geek out with, join the US vote chat room in the Rappler Communities app!
I could not stop thinking of this yesterday, November 5, while sitting with fellow media and information literacy advocates at the Presidential Communications Office’s (PCO) stakeholder consultation for a planned nationwide media and information literacy framework.
The PCO is the Philippine government’s communication arm. They supervise government media like PTV and the Philippine Information Agency. They supply the public with video and press releases about President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and his activities.
An MIL [Media and Information Literacy] framework led by the Marcos government is sure to raise some eyebrows. Who can forget the deluge of disinformation during the 2022 elections, much of it pandering to the Marcos narrative while slandering his strongest rival, former vice president Leni Robredo? While Marcos denies paying for disinformation operations, it is certain that he was its main beneficiary.
The months leading to the US election also saw a barrage of falsehoods — from a fake video about fraudulent voting in the battleground state of Georgia, to a lie about Kamala Harris leaving a teenager paralyzed after an accident.
Still, we attended the PCO consultation with an open and curious mind, hopeful that this would be a step in the right direction. Some 20 government agencies were present, including the Department of Education and Department of Information and Communications Technology.
There were a handful of newsrooms and civil society organizations, including fellow FactsFirstPH coalition member Movement Against Disinformation. Our friends from Break The Fake were tapped by PCO to moderate the activities.
I cannot speak about specific discussions due to Chatham House Rules, but I can say that many of the organizations who attended have been carrying out commendable initiatives in fighting disinformation, protecting Filipinos against scams, imparting critical-thinking skills, among others.
The challenge is to move out of our silos, collaborate, recognize each other’s expertise, and synergize for a united push. That push is sorely needed because in May 2025, Filipinos have their own choices to make. – Rappler.com
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