“Lies Laced With Anger & Hate Spread Fastest,” Says Maria Ressa | “A Thousand Cuts” | FRONTLINE

Summary

The Philippines, with the highest social media usage globally, has become a hotbed for the rapid spread of misinformation, often fueled by anger and hate. A small network of fake accounts can influence millions, manipulating public opinion and targeting institutions and individuals. From the rise of terms like 'presstitutes' to false claims about media outlets, these narratives undermine trust and create divisiveness. Journalists, especially women, are often the primary targets, with campaigns designed not only to deceive but also to degrade and silence dissenting voices in the media.

Takeaways

• 😀 The Philippines has the highest internet usage globally, spending over 10 hours a day online.
• 😀 Filipinos also lead the world in time spent on social media, making the country a key player in digital discourse.
• 😀 Lies and misinformation spread quickly on social media, often fueled by anger and hate.
• 😀 Tackling misinformation is like a game of Whac-a-Mole; it's more effective to trace and dismantle the network behind it.
• 😀 One particular case showed that just 26 fake accounts could influence up to 3 million other accounts.
• 😀 The spread of disinformation can be tracked back to a few key figures, like Mocha Uson and Thinking Pinoy, who popularized certain terms like 'presstitutes.'
• 😀 The goal of spreading disinformation is to erode trust in institutions and change people's perceptions.
• 😀 A notable example of fake news involved a false claim that Rappler.com made the Philippines a target of North Korean missiles.
• 😀 False information about Rappler continued to escalate, with claims of an impending arrest and possible closure of the site.
• 😀 Women, particularly journalists, are often targeted with sexualized attacks and misogyny as part of disinformation campaigns.

Q & A

Why should we care about what happens in the Philippines, according to the speaker?

The speaker emphasizes that the Philippines spends the most time on the internet and social media globally, with people spending over 10 hours a day online. This makes it a key player in the spread of information, both true and false.

What is the primary concern regarding content spread on the internet?

The primary concern is that lies, often filled with anger and hate, spread the fastest on social media. This is exacerbated by the vast amounts of content being consumed and shared.

What approach did the speaker take to understand the spread of misinformation?

The speaker focused on identifying the source of a particular lie and then tracked how it spread across a network of accounts. This is compared to mapping the 'nervous system' of misinformation.

What did the speaker discover about the network of accounts spreading lies?

The speaker discovered that a small group of 26 fake accounts could influence up to three million other accounts, amplifying the spread of misinformation significantly.

How did the term 'presstitutes' become widely used in the Philippines?

The term 'presstitutes' was first popularized by Mocha Uson and then picked up by other influencers, such as Thinking Pinoy. It was repeated millions of times to discredit journalists and media institutions.

What was the impact of the term 'presstitutes' on public perception?

The term 'presstitutes' was used to foster distrust in institutions, particularly the media, and to shift public opinion in a direction that undermined the credibility of journalists.

What event related to Trump and Duterte is discussed in the script?

The script discusses a story in May 2017 about the transcript of a phone call between Trump and President Duterte. A fabricated claim was made that Rappler had made the Philippines a target for North Korean nuclear missiles, which people believed despite its absurdity.

How did the misinformation about the Trump-Duterte call evolve over time?

The misinformation about the call evolved from the initial absurd claim about North Korean missiles to further accusations, including the possibility of Rappler being shut down and sexualized attacks, particularly against women.

Why are women particularly targeted by online misinformation and attacks?

Women, particularly those in the media or in positions of power, are often targets of online misinformation and attacks because they are seen as easier targets for sexualized and misogynistic content, which is meant to undermine their authority and credibility.

What role does social media play in the spread of misinformation in the Philippines?

Social media plays a critical role in the rapid spread of misinformation in the Philippines. With high engagement on platforms, misinformation can easily gain traction and reach millions, influencing public opinion and behavior.