Filipinos' concern over online misinformation hits 67%

Concern over online misinformation has reached an all-time high in the Philippines this year amid politically charged midterm elections.

Vice President Sara Duterte's impeachment and former president Rodrigo Duterte's arrest by the International Criminal Court for crimes against humanity have contributed to public anxiety about false information.

The Reuters Institute Digital News Report found that 67% of Filipinos are worried about mis- and disinformation online, up from 63% in 2024 and above the global average of 58% and Asia-Pacific regional average of 60%. Social media platforms like Facebook (68%), TikTok (48%), and YouTube (39%) remain primary sources for misinformation.

Filipinos increasingly turn to podcasts, AI chatbots, official government websites, and fact-checking sites to verify information while remaining cautious about fully automated journalism.

The report highlights that political actors are seen as a greater threat than online influencers in spreading false information, with journalists viewed as less trustworthy compared to the global average.