Google Philippines has teamed up with non-profit organization Center for Art, New Ventures, and Sustainable Development (CANVAS) to launch a local magazine aimed at helping fight misinformation.
The giant tech company funded the development, design, and publication of #YOUTHink magazine that advocates media literacy education among the country’s youth. The maiden edition of the magazine was distributed for free to about 5,000 young citizens in identified disadvantaged communities nationwide.
“We are hard at work to connect people to trusted information and reduce the spread of harmful content by constantly updating our policies and product features,” said Google PH Head of Government Affairs and Public Policy Yves Gonzalez. “As a result, from February to September 2020 alone, over 200,000 videos related to dangerous or misleading coronavirus information were removed on YouTube.”
Addressing misinformation
Gonzalez also disclosed that global watch time on authoritative news content on YouTube expanded by over 75% in the first quarter of 2020. “We believe that addressing misinformation in an ecosystem effort and founded on education, that is why we partnered with CANVAS to publish a material that can help tackle the issue and promote critical thinking,” he added.
As a non-profit group, CANVAS promotes literacy, strengthens national identity, and broadens awareness for Philippine art, culture, and the environment among children. It stands in the mission to give a million books to a million Filipino students.
The 42-page edition of #YOUTHink magazine is filled with case studies and data presented in a fun and creative magazine-style format aimed at engaging young readers. It tackles the different types of misinformation and its negative effects, discusses why context matters, gives insights on how to identify a fact from an opinion and provides tips on how to deal with fake information. Every copy also comes with fun and expressive stickers.
Connecting to credible info
“#YOUTHink is important especially in the middle of a pandemic because we need to be connected to credible information to keep ourselves and our loved ones safe,” said CANVAS Founder and Executive Director Gigo Alampay. “The magazine can help in educating people how to spot real from fake information. Now more than ever, we need the power of the youth to uphold digital responsibility and critical thinking which is crucial in addressing the infodemic.”
Contributing writers include former Commission on Elections Commissioner Atty. Luie Guia; infectious diseases specialist Dr. Edsel Salvana; scientist and radio and TV speaker Dr. Reina Reyes; Ateneo de Manila University assistant professor of Philosophy Dr. Jacklyn Cleofas; and UP professor specializing in political communication and news media effects Dr. Clarissa David.
Google PH conceived the magazine title, which emphasizes ‘youth’ and ‘critical thinking.’
Aside from those copies that are distributed for free, there are copies that can also be purchased online. For every copy bought, CANVAS will donate two books to kids from impoverished communities through its One Million Books for One Million Filipino Children Campaign.
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