The fight against fake news took center stage at the Regional Schools Press Conference (RSPC) in Ilocos Region, where thousands of student journalists gathered to hone their skills in responsible reporting, news gathering, and scriptwriting.

For Grade 11 student Tristan Mendoza from Alaminos City, journalism is more than just a competition, it’s a way to combat the spread of false information.

“Ang fake news po talaga ang problema natin sa ngayon kaya dapat makatulong tayo na maibigay ang tamang info sa tao. Dapat tama ang balita at verified ang mga sources,” Mendoza said.

Participants emphasized the importance of fighting fake news, misinformation, and disinformation, which continue to spread rapidly on social media.

Raven Abara, another contestant, emphasized why media literacy is crucial.

“People will see kung ano ang fake news sa hindi,” he said.

PROMOTING MEDIA INTEGRITY

This year’s RSPC theme, “Media for Inclusion: Promoting Diversity, Equity, and Integrity through Campus Journalism,” underscores the role of young journalists in responsible reporting.

John Sunga, RSPC focal person, encouraged students to use the platform to develop critical thinking and responsible reporting skills.

“Ito ‘yung pagkakataon na malaya ang mga estudyante sa pagbabalita, especially marami tayong social issues na dapat nakikita,” Sunga said.

The conference, which runs until February 14, features competitions in news writing, editorial writing, and radio broadcasting; all aimed at equipping student journalists with the tools to combat fake news.

With journalism under threat from fake news, the RSPC continues to train young writers to verify sources, report facts, and become responsible storytellers for their communities.