By Celeste Tamayo

MANILA — The Presidential Communications Office (PCO) has partnered with VERA Files to launch a series of training sessions aimed at combating misinformation and disinformation, while strengthening media literacy.

According to the PCO, the training series, titled “Siguraduhing Totoo: A VERA Files Fact-Checking and Online Verification Training,” is designed to enhance the skills of state media fact-checking officers nationwide.

The sessions will be held in Luzon on February 13-14, in the Visayas on February 20-21, and in Mindanao on February 27-28.

“This partnership is a significant step in reinforcing a transparent and independent fact-checking mechanism within state media. It also supports the government’s ‘Maging Mapanuri’ campaign, which promotes media literacy and combats misinformation,” the PCO said.

“The training will equip fact-checkers with essential skills to navigate complex information, fostering resilience against misinformation in the digital age,” it added.

VERA Files, an independent non-profit media organization, is a signatory to the International Fact-Checking Network.

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