The Growing Accountability of Social Media Personalities: A Deep Dive into the Tricomm Hearings

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In an era where social media dictates much of public discourse, content creators—vloggers, bloggers, influencers, and other digital personalities—find themselves at the center of controversy. The ongoing Tricomm hearings highlight a critical issue: the spread of misinformation and the accountability of those who propagate it, whether intentionally or not.

The Thin Line Between Content and Misinformation

Many social media personalities have been labeled as purveyors of “fake news.” However, the emphasis on “daw” (allegedly) is crucial because accusations do not always equate to guilt. Authorities, such as Torre of CIDG, have been leveraging their power to file cases against those deemed as misinformation spreaders. Yet, the failure of some of these content creators to appear before the hearings raises suspicions—does noncompliance imply guilt, or is it simply fear of confrontation?

The purpose of the Tricomm hearings extends beyond merely identifying and prosecuting alleged fake news peddlers. It aims to set precedents for digital responsibility. However, when social media figures continuously evade invitations, subpoenas, or show-cause orders, they inadvertently fuel perceptions of guilt rather than innocence.

Social Media Personas vs. Reality

One of the more intriguing aspects of these hearings is the stark contrast between online personas and real-life personalities. Many of those summoned exhibit a vastly different demeanor in person compared to the bold, unfiltered versions of themselves that they project online. This phenomenon highlights a fundamental truth: social media is often a stage where content creators act out roles rather than express their genuine selves.

Social media thrives on passion—sometimes exaggerated passion. Just as mainstream media employs clickbait headlines and sensationalized reporting, digital personalities also craft their content with a mix of creativity and drama to capture attention. Whether for clout, entertainment, or visibility, social media is a competitive space where standing out is a necessity. Filipinos, known for their appetite for dramatic and controversial content, consume social media narratives much like they devour teleseryes—fast, emotionally, and often without skepticism.

The Challenge of Accountability

A key debate emerging from the Tricomm hearings is whether those who simply share potentially misleading content should be held legally responsible. While some argue that individuals cannot be blamed for their gullibility, authorities and legal experts assert that there is inherent accountability in sharing unverified information. The argument is that misinformation does not spread on its own—it gains traction through shares and engagements.

This puts social media users in a precarious position. While it may seem unfair to penalize those who unknowingly share false information, the reality is that ignorance does not always absolve responsibility. The safest approach? Conduct thorough research before sharing any content. If proof is lacking, adding disclaimers or captions can mitigate risks and prevent the unintentional spread of falsehoods.

Moving Forward: Responsible Content Creation and Sharing

The Tricomm hearings serve as a wake-up call for both content creators and consumers. While social media will always have a space for creativity and sensationalism, ethical responsibility should not be disregarded. The digital landscape is evolving, and with it, the need for accountability grows stronger.

For content creators, maintaining credibility is key. Sensationalism may attract views, but misinformation can have real-world consequences. For consumers, vigilance is equally essential. Before hitting that share button, a simple fact-check can make all the difference. In the end, the responsibility of truth rests on both the creators and the audience.

While at the Tricomm hearing, I try my best to reiterate that self-regulation works and that government regulation could be necessary, but we cannot fully control the eventual outcomes considering the state of our existing government regulations that are still full of flaws just as similar to the behaviours of our fellow socmed personalities especially when passion, advocacy, survival and greed intertwine with varying percentages of influence..

It will also be very difficult to express our creativity if we are constantly being dragged by the reminder that we are being monitored. Most of us could be guilty of going overboard but not all should struggle with the thought that we will be punished at anytime we make a mistake, especially if unintentional. We all know that if another person will be our judge, he or she may be prone to his or her own personal biases. Regulations, like every similar tasks out there, could only be good from the start but eventually would also turn out as another source of bureaucratic corruption, manipulation and control.

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