SWS: 69% of Pinoys say problem of fake news in media is serious

The national Social Weather Survey of December 12–16, 2021, found 69% of adult Filipinos (correctly rounded) saying the problem of fake news in media is serious.

The survey question was, “In your opinion, how serious is the problem of the spread of fake news in MEDIA like television, radio, and newspaper?”

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To this, 32% answered very serious, 38% somewhat serious, 21% were undecided, 6% answered somewhat not serious, and 3% not serious at all.

Compared to December 2017, those who consider the problem of fake news in media as serious (% very serious and % somewhat serious) rose by 9 points from 60% (29% very serious, 31% somewhat serious).

67% say the problem of fake news on the internet is serious

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On fake news on the internet, the question was, “In your opinion, how serious is the problem of the spread of fake news on the INTERNET like in Facebook, Twitter, and Youtube?”

To this, 32% answered very serious, 35% somewhat serious, 24% were undecided, 5% answered somewhat not serious, and 3% not serious at all.

The December 2021 percentage of those who consider the problem of fake news on the internet as serious is similar to the 67% (40% very serious, 26% somewhat serious, correctly rounded) in March 2018, but is 9 points above the 58% (32% very serious, 26% somewhat serious) in December 2017.

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51% say it is very/somewhat difficult to spot fake news on TV, radio, or social media

The December 2021 survey found 51% saying it is difficult (consisting of 13% very difficult and 38% somewhat difficult) for them to know if a piece of news or information from the television, radio, or social media is fake or wrong, while 48% consider it easy (consisting of 37% somewhat easy and 11% very easy).

20% spot fake news on TV, radio, or social media often, 40% sometimes, 35% seldom, and 4% never

The December 2021 survey also found 20% saying they see or read fake or wrong information on television, radio, or social media often, 40% sometimes, 35% seldom, and 4% never.

The problem of fake news in media worsens in all areas

The percentage of those who consider the problem of fake news in media as serious is highest in Metro Manila (79%, correctly rounded), followed by Balance Luzon (71%, correctly rounded), Mindanao (65%), and the Visayas (63%).

Compared to December 2017, those who say the problem of fake news in media is serious rose by 11 points from 68% in Metro Manila, by 10 points from 61% in Balance Luzon, by 4 points from 61% in Mindanao, and by 12 points from 51% in the Visayas.

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