SOPH elier of three. etary TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES First Regular Session ) AUG -4 P5:13 SENATE RECEIVED BY: S. No. 849 Introduced by Senator Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada AN ACT INTEGRATING MEDIA AND INFORMATION LITERACY IN BASIC EDUCATION CURRICULUM EXPLANATORY NOTE A February 2025 national survey' showed that majority of Filipinos consider the problem of fake news both in media (62%) and the internet (59%) as "serious." In addition, 65% of the respondents thought that it was difficult to determine if news or information that they had watched, heard or read on television, radio or social media is fake or wrong. As we strive to narrow the digital divide and embrace the digital age, it is crucial that we also equip Filipinos, especially the younger generation, with the proper tools to responsibly consume and produce online content. With greater access to multitude of information, one can easily encounter and be swayed by deepfakes, fake news, and other manipulated materials. Hence, it is imperative that we fortify our defenses against these kinds of malicious resources readily available in the cyberspace. In Estonia, media literacy themes are incorporated into existing classroom lessons aimed to promote a culture of critical analysis. Meanwhile, the government of 1 "SWS confirms February 2025 Survey items for Stratbase Consultancy on fake news." 12 March 2025. Accessed through https://www.sws.org.ph/swsmain/artcldisppage/?artcsyscode=ART-20250312192636
Sweden implemented adjustments to their curriculum to strengthen media literacy and online safety to enhance the capacities of students to critically evaluate sources of information. Finland, Sweden and the Netherlands are among the countries which teach digital literacy and critical thinking about misinformation to school children and were found to have stronger resilience to fake news. This proposed legislation intends to combat misinformation and disinformation through education, which is considered as the most effective weapon against such. It seeks to integrate concepts on media literacy and exercises on fact-checking, source validation and content analysis into our basic education system. It aims to institutionalize and strengthen the ongoing efforts of the Department of Education (DepEd) in teaching these timely and relevant skill sets towards producing a generation of critical and creative thinkers. In view of the foregoing, the enactment of this bill is fervently sought. usolat JINGGOY EJERCITO ESTRADA
S90101: Pilep of tie Eurotarp TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE ) REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES First Regular Session ) 25 AUG -4 P5:13 SENATE RECEIVED BY: S. No. _ Introduced by Senator Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada AN ACT INTEGRATING MEDIA AND INFORMATION LITERACY IN BASIC EDUCATION CURRICULUM Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress assembled:
Section 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the " Media and Information
2 Literacy Act .
Sec. 2. Declaration of Policy. - The State recognizes the vital role of the youth
4 in nation-building and promotes and protects their physical, moral, spiritual, intellectual, and social well-being. The State also recognizes the role of all educational 6 institutions in the inculcation of patriotism and nationalism, fostering love of humanity, respect for human rights, teaching the rights and duties of citizenship, strengthening 8 ethical and spiritual values, developing moral character and personal discipline, 9 encouraging critical and creative thinking, broadening scientific and technological 10 knowledge, and promoting vocational efficiency. Towards this end, the State shall formulate and implement educational policies that encourage critical and creative thinking, intellectual discipline, and civic participation and responsibility among the youth.
Sec. 3. Definition of Term. - As used in this Act, "Media and Information
Literacy" shall refer to a set of cognitive and practical skills in finding, accessing, organizing, evaluating, interpreting, and creating information across mass media and online platforms. Evaluation involves the analysis of the context, value, reliability,
accuracy, and truthfulness of available information, reports, content, data, and 2 images.
Sec. 4. Integration of Media and Information Literacy in Basic Education
4 Curriculum. - It is hereby mandated that Media and Information Literacy shall be 5 integrated into the basic education curriculum implemented by the Department of 6 Education (DepEd). Media and Information Literacy shall be incorporated as an essential component into the teaching of core subjects and enrichment activities of the students. The DepEd shall develop instructional strategies, tools and pedagogies to implement this Act.
Sec. 5. Coverage of Media and Information Literacy Program. - Media and
Information Literacy program shall promote active citizenship, respect for others, socio-cultural diversity, and honesty; train and develop creative and critical thinking; and encourage responsible use of online platforms. The program shall include activities and exercises about source verification, content validation and analysis, fact-checking, information appreciation and comprehension, among others. The program shall also discuss legal and ethical issues in media and information such as copyright, plagiarism, cyber bullying, trolling, online etiquette, fair use guidelines and understanding of intellectual property.
Sec. 6. Review and assessment. - The DepEd shall conduct a periodic review
20 of the integration of Media and Information Literacy program into the basic education curriculum to ensure its proper implementation and assess student learning outcomes for the purpose of determining its efficacy. A report shall be submitted to the 23 Committees on Basic Education of both houses of Congress within thirty (30) days from the termination of the review and assessment.
Sec. 7. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - Within ninety (90) days from
the effectivity of this Act, the DepEd, in consultation with relevant stakeholders and government agencies such as the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), shall issue the necessary rules and regulations for the effective 29 implementation of this Act.
Sec. 8. Separability Clause. - If for any reason, any provision of this Act is
declared unconstitutional or invalid, such parts not affected thereby shall remain in full force and effect.
Sec. 9. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, executive orders, rules and
2 regulations and other issuances or parts thereof which are contrary to or inconsistent 3 with this Act are hereby repealed, amended or modified accordingly.
Sec. 10. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
5 publication in the Official Gazette or in any two (2) newspapers of general circulation. Approved,