PRSP underscores fight against “age of fake news” in this year’s PR month

MANILA, Philippines. September 3, 2018 – The Public Relations Society of the Philippines (PRSP), the country’s premier organization for communication and PR professionals, reaffirms its position on the proliferation of fake news and how best to combat misleading propaganda as it celebrates the National PR Month this September. Themed “One for Truth,” this year’s activities underline the organization’s call to unity in support of truth amid the age of disinformation.

Now on its 61st year, PRSP continues to uphold its precept of “conducting all activities in full accordance with the accepted standards of trust, objectivity, accuracy and good taste.” The organization recognizes the need for concrete steps against false information all the more so today with the advent of new technologies and platforms that provide quick access to information anywhere, anytime.

“The new media has empowered democracies all over the world through its amplification of free speech. Unfortunately, some are abusing this communication innovation for interests that benefit them solely. The rise of propaganda machinations online such as trolls and lie peddlers is tearing societal fabric as we know it. This makes it even more crucial for communicators such as PR professionals to continue championing authenticity and accuracy. We must try to make truth everybody’s business,” shared PRSP President Ritzi Villarico-Ronquillo, APR.

One for Truth: Leading in upholding the truth

PRSP’s lineup of activities for the 2018 National PR Month asserts the organization’s position on the fake news epidemic in the country. The different events hope to gather together and unify communication practitioners and aspirants in the pursuit of truth, particularly in the practice of communication.

Kick-starting the September celebration is the General Membership Meeting on September 6. Themed “Humanizing Communication: The Role of PR in Building Real Connections in Today’s Virtual World,” the event will gather PR professionals to reiterate the organization’s position on digital revolution and its impact on public relations and relationship building. Marc Ha, managing director APAC Client Strategy of Text100, a global marketing communications firm, is coming to the Philippines to share his insights on the evolution of public relations in the age of communication digitalization.

The PR Congress, set for September 27 to 28, will gather seasoned public relations and communication practitioners such as Global Alliance of Public Relations and Communication Management Chairperson José Manuel Velasco, Institute of Corporate Directors CEO Dr. Alfredo Pascual and Supreme Court Senior Associate Justice Antonio Carpio to discuss the latest trends and issues concerning the PR industry. The 25th Congress, themed “Truth or Trolls: PR in the Age of Disinformation,” will also tackle ethics and governance in PR, identifying fake news, battling bashers, metrics for PR and other trends impacting the PR landscape.

“The National PR Congress is not only an avenue for sharing innovative and effective communication practices but also a space for spurring conversation about matters that concern the industry and the nation as a whole. The Congress will reevaluate the role of PR in building trust and communicating the truth in today’s society,” shared National PR Congress Chair Cherie Mijares, APR.

The exhibit, which will run concurrent with the Congress, will showcase the rich history of PRSP, highlighting the organization’s milestones and contributions across its more than six decades of history.

Capping off the month-long celebration on September 29 is Professional Development 2018, which hopes to bring together local communication practitioners to discuss global trends with foreign industry professionals from the Global Alliance of Public Relations and Communication Management. The event will be spearheaded by PRSP Director Bernard Bagaman.  

National PR Month 2018 Chairperson Ana Pista shares how this year’s events put PR professionals at the forefront of today’s battle for truth. “PR practitioners are storytellers of different brands and organizations. We at PRSP make sure that we inculcate in our members and other PR aspirants the need to have truth as the backbone of whatever message we send across,” said Pista.

Established in 1957, PRSP continues to be the guiding body of Filipino communicators and PR practitioners. More than just highlighting its role in promoting truth, PRSP hopes that this year’s celebration of the National PR Month will also make content scrutiny the public’s responsibility and media literacy a government priority.