The propagation of fake news and disinformation has been a recurring problem globally. With the advancement of technology, many powerful forces have also taken advantage of the accessibility of information to forward agendas based on lies and deceit. In turn, many have been led to believe fabricated realities that negatively affect and divide even the most peaceful communities.
Overnight, a major Philippine news outlet published an opinion article by the Russian Ambassador to the Philippines Marat Pavlov, justifying the Russian government’s actions against the people of Ukraine and warning the Filipino people of information provided by “Western media outlets”.
The Embassy of the Czech Republic in Manila strongly condemns this act of manipulating information and the truth by the Russian Ambassador. By manipulating information, the Russian Ambassador seeks to erase the objective truth of the effects of Russian invasion, in turn, destabilize and divide public opinion to have support in forwarding its own interest in the occupation of Ukraine. The Czech Republic strongly upholds its stand that the war launched by Russia can never be justified, especially with the hundreds of civilian casualties and billions of infrastructure damages it has cost Ukraine. Moreover, the Embassy of the Czech Republic stands firmly with the decision of the United Nations International Court of Justice with its provisional order on Russia to end its attack on Ukraine and instantly cease the military operations launched three weeks ago.
While the Russian government is expected to constantly push its “West vs Russia” narrative and use its machinery to propagate misinformation, the objective truth of this act of war is that the civilian populations of Ukraine, and even Russia, with the harsh economic sanctions, are already suffering from the effects of its attack. The ongoing war has also affected the Philippines and other economies such as the continuous increase in gas prices. This only shows that there is a need for all nations to be involved regardless of their geographical position.
The Embassy of the Czech Republic in Manila strongly urges Philippine media companies to be vigilant against false information and closely monitor the ongoing situation in Ukraine.
