Students from West Visayas State University (WVSU) and other institutions gathered at the WVSU Audio-Visual Hall on Mar. 16 for a forum on Foreign Information Manipulation and Interference (FIMI) aimed at strengthening media literacy and responsible information consumption among the youth.

The interactive discussion introduced participants to how foreign information manipulation operates online and how it can influence public discourse, highlighting the need for critical thinking and careful verification of information in the digital age.

Prof. Joesyl D. Aranas, chair of the Development Communication Division, welcomed the participants, organizers and guest speakers during the opening program. She emphasized the importance of becoming informed and responsible consumers of information amid the fast-changing digital landscape.

Guest speakers shared insights from research and journalism. Janina Santos of DoubleThink Lab discussed the basics of FIMI and presented case studies showing how foreign influence operations shape narratives online. Christina Chi of PhilStar.com shared newsroom experiences in gathering data and reporting on FIMI-related issues, while Prof. Felipe Salvosa II of PressOne.Ph examined how narratives, influence and manipulation can reshape public perception.

An open forum moderated by Atty. Joseph Bernard A. Marzan, senior reporter of the Daily Guardian, allowed students to engage with the speakers and ask questions about media literacy and information verification. The program concluded with the awarding of certificates to speakers and participants, followed by closing remarks from Francis Allan L. Angelo, editor-in-chief of the Daily Guardian.

The forum was organized through a collaboration among the WVSU Development Communicators’ Society, Daily Guardian, and InterNews to help strengthen media resilience and promote informed public discourse in the region.