Joe Zaldarriaga underscores Media Literacy as a Shield Against Fake News in the Digital Age

Renowned communications leader Joe R. Zaldarriaga, one of the country’s most seasoned and respected communicators, underscored the critical role of media literacy in protecting the public from misinformation and disinformation. He shared these insights during the launch of the Department of Foreign Affairs’ (DFA) “Truth, Talk, and Tactics” media and information literacy program on August 20, 2025.

Drawing from nearly four decades of experience in corporate communications and public relations, Zaldarriaga—who currently serves as Vice President and Head of Corporate Communications at Meralco—stressed that misinformation remains a pressing challenge that requires vigilance and critical thinking.

“In the current digital landscape, decoding fake news is an ongoing journey of critical thinking. Thus, foreign service officers must ensure that the public only receives timely, accurate and verified information,” Zaldarriaga said.

As a long-time advocate of media literacy, he emphasized the responsibility of communicators to help peers and the public become more discerning in navigating today’s complex information ecosystem. “We need to make our peers more equipped to reduce the spread of misinformation. This will enable us to lead with transparency and integrity, ensuring that truth prevails to safeguard public trust,” added Zaldarriaga, who is also a board member of the Public Relations Society of the Philippines (PRSP).

Zaldarriaga expressed strong support for the DFA’s initiative, which equips its personnel with the skills to discern credible information, strengthen critical thinking, and foster responsible digital citizenship. His participation highlighted the need for communications professionals, public officials, and institutions to work together in safeguarding truth and credibility in the public sphere.