In the Philippines, we assist Filipino media in defending their freedom and independence, and help protect the safety of Filipino journalists. We use a large toolbox of activities to tackle disinformation, both from the supply side – by tracking malign actors and supporting factcheckers and investigative journalism – and the demand side, by promoting awareness and media literacy. We support self-regulation of the media sector, to consolidate trust in independent journalism and promote ethical standards. Internews works closely with the Philippine civil society, media sector and academic community.

Internews continues to build and strengthen independent media in several areas including: 

Initiative for Media Freedom (IMF) 

This five-year USAID-funded IMF supports media capacity and independence to enhance democratic governance. Internews is implementing the IMF in partnership with a consortium of ten partners. The coalition promotes free press and journalist safety, foster efforts to tackle disinformation, and support media self-regulation.

Philippine Fact-Checker Incubator (PFCI) 

Internews, with support from Facebook, implements PFCI to incubate new fact-checking organizations ahead of the 2022 Philippine general elections. Selected organizations receive training, technical and financial support, and mentorship.

Multi-Stakeholder Dialogue on Electoral Disinformation (MDED) 

MDED supports cross-sectoral collaborative work to strengthen the information environment and mitigate the impact of disinformation on the May 2022 elections, using innovative and action-oriented research methods and network-building activities.

Understudied Digital Platforms in the Philippines (UDPP) 

UDPP investigates the role of lesser-known digital platforms, such as TikTok and WeChat, in the Philippine information environment and draw out strategies to mitigate disinformation in these platforms, using Internews Information Ecosystem Assessment (IEA) research methodology.

Rooted in Trust (RiT) 

USAID-funded RiT works on misinformation about COVID-19 and its consequences in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), by tracking rumors and encouraging better collaboration between public health agencies, humanitarian organizations, local media, and community leaders.

Earth Journalism Network (EJN) 

EJN launched the Philippine Network of Environmental Journalists in 2010 to bolster the capacity of media to cover environment and natural resource management issues. EJN provides training, webinars, documentary films, podcast and resources for reporting, story grants, capacity building, fellowships, and distribution support.

Greater Internet Freedom (GIF) 

To advance digital rights and help enhance digital safety for civil society and media and increase citizen engagement in internet governance, GIF works with the support of USAID in the Philippines to improve organizational security, technical support, and incident response, while training experts.

Health Journalism Network (HJN) 

In the wake of COVID-19, Internews established the HJN to empower journalists and provide them with opportunities to rapidly mobilize vital health information. With an in-house health reporting expert for Asia, HJN plans to expand in the Philippines. 

2021 Internews Fellows Program 

Internews provides a year-long fellowship to the Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism (PCIJ), including technical assistance, organization’s exposure, as well as support to collaborate with Internews in joint initiatives and events.