FEBRUARY 2022 // OPINION
FROM PAGE 8 silencing of the government’s critics, like what happened during the Martial Law era. It is also the continuous issue addressed by Maria Ressa, the CEO and co-founder of Rappler. The persistent harassment and threats targeted towards journalists and women are only some of the numerous problems that Facebook have failed to address. This shows that the problem doesn’t only stop on the rapid spread of disinformation and misinformation, nor does it only happen during elections–it has already rooted itself in society as more and more users interact and engage in these social media platforms. The cooperation between Facebook and the government should be focused, but it should not amount to the direct intervention of the government. The fact checking groups are slowly
being introduced to the different platforms, however we could see that this still isn’t enough. The idea of fake news isn’t new to us, and it is realistic to say that it will never go away. The very solution that we need to curb disinformation and misinformation is the education of people, as well as what I have said earlier, the cooperation of the government with the platforms. By being educated, people become critical thinkers, and with it comes a judgement of discerning the facts from the fake news. With education, the socalled “different faces of truth” will be much clearer, until the people piece the whole truth together. Sadly, our society has forgotten that democracy does not only stop with the freedom of choices, but it includes the responsibility that comes with it. The responsibility–that of weighing the given facts rationally, and that of engaging with others to question their opinions es-
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pecially when their so called “opinions” run differently from the truth. We must remember that although every person is entitled to their own opinions, they are not entitled to their own truths. There is only one truth, and it is dangerous if people keep tolerating the blatant distortion of the truth with the means of misinformation and disinformation. And so, let us be the solution to this never-ending spread of fake news, distinguish the fake from the face of truth. [R]
"With education, the so-called “different faces of truth” will be much clearer, until the people piece the whole truth together."
To Love is Radical LEX TALK // Mr. Lawrence Fernando
Radicals are defined by their as-
pirations for swift and thorough changes in society. Radicals are hard but attainable. The question is, How? The answer – one must step out of his/her comfort zones and embrace the uncertainties of struggles for change.
For one to show or even profess love, he/she must step out of his/ her comfort zone. To step on uncharted territories of courtship and dating so he/ she can cross towards a relationship. From being single and alone, towards being a couple and together. Isn’t it that love is somewhat similar to that of being radical? Yes. Love is the most radical of all
human action. To actually love would surely swiftly and thoroughly change one’s life. Love goes beyond one’s comfort zones and embrace the uncertainties. Loving someone is to change. Change in such ways that we are no longer just for self alone but there would always be another that will be there.
than hate, is indeed another radical call. It calls upon us to step out from our comfort zones yet again, our high ivory towers and forts, and to be more understanding with one another. To radically express love is to listen and understand. We must treat the threats of divisiveness coursing through society with love.
The Filipinos has already manifested this radical love. Almost four decades ago, they embraced uncertainty and finally “confessed” that enough is enough and the then dictator Marcos has to go. The days which would be known as the EDSA People Power Revolution showed not just the country but the entire world that through love, radical changes can happen.
Radical love shall give us hope and through it we shall aspire towards action a better tomorrow. [R]
So, in the call to rise from the current trends of time, to love rather
"To radically express love is to listen and understand. We must treat the threats of divisiveness coursing through society with love."
