Determine the source, verify, further confirm, before making it public. That's what a journalist follows that a Facebook status updater may consider as well. There are some instances when Facebook postings from anyone, anytime, anywhere are treated as truths, and spread out like wildfire, out of urgency or panic.
At least like in the case of categorizing a storm to level 5, when it is actually level 4, I check the official weather websites to know more factual, scientific information, before others interpret it wrongly.
Even sharing wrong mobile phone, text-messaged information like a storm hitting Manila directly is further shared, too, as Facebook postings.
There's a big difference between, "some have reported that there were corpses found in Payatas which are still unidentified and unattended to," rather than a Facebook post announcing, "corpses found everywhere in Payatas! No news coverage on this! Notify media! Someone should go there!"
The hidden truth behind the post is, "this is an unconfirmed report." It may be that bad, or not that bad, but how are we to know as Facebook readers?
It is more believable if it was a first-hand account posted by a Facebook user. "Here in San Mateo Rizal, flood water level is knee-deep. Water has entered our living room."
This is where Facebook matters, when first-hand accounts, with matching photos or videos taken from cellphones are posted. These are eyewitness accounts that news coverage cannot reach, and posted quickly.
A post saying, "Electricity will be shut down at 9pm! Charge your cellphones now!"
Did anyone even bother to ask the electric company if this was true before this piece of "news" was unilaterally posted, then reposted by others?
There is of course a reason to caution everyone, out of concern, and out of the suddenness of the previous storms' damage. It is understandable why people post what they post on Facebook. It is a collective expression of caring for each other, after the lessons learned from the past calamity, and proving how indeed, vital Facebook is to disseminate information.
But there is also a responsibility to confirm, and verify.
We are no journalists. But even as receivers of numerous Facebook posts, we can check to know if the latest news is factual news.
At least some useful google researching by resourceful Facebook users quickly spread tips on how to handle car damage after a typhoon. Some even researched on what are the essentials of an emergency kit. Internet helps for quick research. The Facebook user helps for sharing what one feels is useful for others to know, like these added tips, very helpful indeed in a given situation.
Now, in the face of a calamity, there's also the need to be proper in Facebook postings. It's a matter of personal judgment if it's appropriate to post a trivial update in the midst of national urgency.
But no one has the right to put the trivial updater down. It might be his way of coping. That there must be a bright side to a downside.
But Facebook and freedom of speech is a different case altogether. What about the abuse of the freedom to post unverified reports? It's pardonable because it falls within the "disaster" category rather than the "trivial?"
A trivial post, you can hide anyway. But an unverified report? Misinformation's effect can never be placed under the hide mode. It has been posted, and it can cause more harm than good.
Personally, I like people posting a prayer or two, to lessen the sadness of a situation. It has a healing and calming effect. There's no need to verify that. It comes from true faith.
It's a genuine concern, specially for Filipinos like us, which are still Catholic by faith, and by heart.
And yes, I believe in the power of prayer to stop a storm, the way it can remove a dictator.
Faith can move mountains. Faith can help us overcome. And only faith can help us make it through, and continue to feel hopeful knowing there's "Someone Who'll Watch Over Us."
Now, this is not news, it's just an opinion. If you think it's helpful, go ahead, please REPOST.
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