The use of social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube during the 2022 elections in the Philippines has exacerbated polarization and personality-oriented politics.
In this B-Side episode, Jonathan C. Ong, associate professor of global digital media at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, explains to BusinessWorld senior reporter Arjay L. Balinbin how disinformation strategists took advantage of social media to add to the political noise.
The 2022 national elections demonstrated the diversification of the disinformation industry, as shown by the emergence of political campaigning on TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube, among others; the increased use of social media influencers and celebrities to amplify political messages; and the acceleration of investment in social media due to the health crisis.
Philippine presumptive president Ferdinand “Bongbong” R. Marcos, Jr., has benefited the most from social media disinformation or misinformation. According to Mr. Ong, the use of social media played a major role in rehabilitating the Marcos brand.
Recorded remotely on May 6, 2022. Produced by Earl R. Lagundino and Sam L. Marcelo.
