Did you know that the Philippines is still the top country in the world searching for the terms “fake news” and “misinformation”? New data from Google Trends also show that the country is still part of the top ten in the world searching for “disinformation” and “fact-checking” as topics.
Our interest in these topics indicates our awareness of these issues and how to better to combat them.
Thankfully, Google and YouTube have various tools and ways that can help us battle misinformation:
AI labeling tool on YouTube. YouTube introduced a new tool in Creator Studio to promote transparency and trust between creators and viewers. This tool requires creators to disclose if their content uses altered or synthetic media, such as generative AI, in realistic videos.
#YOUThink magazine in Ilocano. Google plans to expand its #YOUTHink media literacy publication to reach more Filipinos outside the capital by releasing it in the Ilocano language. The publication addresses disinformation-related topics. Versions in Filipino, English and Cebuano are currently available.
Search on Gemini. To simplify internet searches, users can ask the Gemini AI questions or input queries. To promote critical thinking, users can double-check Gemini’s response using the built-in Google Search button. People can also explore the “Search related topics” and “Sources” displayed to assess information further.
Google Search “About This Result” feature. You can learn more about a search result by clicking the three dots next to the URL. This opens an information panel that shows additional context about the entry, including where the information comes from and why Google thinks it’s relevant to your query. This features is available in Filipino.
Breaking News on YouTube. When a major breaking news event happens, this shelf appears on YouTube’s homepage to ensure that you have easy and immediate access to authoritative news sources.
Information Panels. When you search or watch videos on YouTube related to topics prone to misinformation, such as the moon landing or “the Earth is flat,” they will see an information panel linked to third-party sources at the top of their search results or under a video they’re watching.
Community Guidelines. These policies apply to all types of content on the platform, including unlisted and private content, comments, links, Community posts, and thumbnails. Creators receive a strike for every Community Guideline violation; three strikes within 90 days means permanent removal from YouTube.
Fact-checking Training. Google consistently holds capacity-building workshops around the world to help media assess information online. Over the past several years, Google has trained more than 220,000 journalists in 17 countries across Asia Pacific, including the Philippines.
On top of efforts to support and enable fact-checking, Google is also committed to helping media and creators succeed on platforms like Shorts so that quality content and journalism thrive even on new popular formats.
“Google’s mission is to organize the world’s information and make it universally accessible and useful. Core to this mission is to provide people with trustworthy content, and opportunities for freedom of expression while addressing misinformation,” said Mervin Wenke, Head of Communications and Public Affairs at Google Philippines.
“We believe the media and creators do play an important role in ensuring that more Filipinos online can connect to trusted information even on new formats like short videos,” he added.
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