PHMedia organizations in the Philippines have criticized proposed anti-disinformation legislation, arguing that the bills—House Bill No. 9465 and its Senate counterpart—are an ineffective and misguided solution to the issue of misinformation. They claim the bills shift responsibility onto individuals rather than addressing systemic issues like opaque algorithms, commercial incentives, and coordinated influence operations that enable disinformation. The media groups argue that existing laws already cover offenses such as libel, fraud, and cybercrime, and that new legislation could lead to the criminalization of legitimate expression while failing to hold digital platforms accountable. They emphasize the need for greater transparency in algorithmic processes and political advertising rather than expanding government control over speech.
Bias read (Center): The article presents the views of media organizations opposing the anti-disinformation bills without taking a stance itself. It reports their concerns about potential overreach and lack of focus on systemic solutions, but does not favor one side over the other in its presentation.
