NBI meets lawyers on fake news from vloggers

The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) held a meeting with five lawyers representing vloggers and content creators who were issued subpoenas on Wednesday to discuss the proliferation of fake news.

NBI Director Jaime Santiago emphasized that the purpose was not to press charges but to clarify legal boundaries in online discourse, respecting freedom of speech while adhering to the law.

Santiago noted that some individuals may have inadvertently crossed legal lines without realizing it, citing examples such as false claims about government rice programs and election-related misinformation.

Lawyers representing vloggers stressed the importance of balancing human rights protection with monitoring fake news, referencing a Supreme Court decision on erroneous commentary.

Some non-responsive vloggers could face direct filing of complaints with the Department of Justice for failing to cooperate, ensuring due process is followed.

The NBI assured that evidence will be thoroughly investigated before any legal action is taken against those who spread false information online.