Truth under siege: The national security threat we can’t ignore

Technology is neutral. It is neither good nor bad — it simply amplifies intent. It is a double-edged sword: it can make life better and more efficient, but it also creates serious risks that harm individuals, societies, nations — even the global order.

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The internet, social media, and artificial intelligence have transformed our lives and brought conveniences unimaginable a generation ago. We benefit daily — personally, socially, and professionally — from technology’s reach. Finding information now takes seconds. A simple search can return millions of results. Experts weigh in on every topic.

But that same access to information can backfire when it opens the floodgates to misinformation and disinformation.

At the personal level, this is already dangerous. Internet users can fall for hoaxes, scams, or deceptive offers. Rumors can mislead, Fraud can spread.

But the deeper threat strikes at democracy and national security. False narratives move faster than facts. They erode trust, deepen divisions, and distort public discourse, What once seemed like isolated rumors now have the power to sway elections, destabilize societies, and weaken democratic foundations.

In the Philippines — and in democracies worldwide — defending the truth is a shared responsibility of governments, institutions, and citizens.

GLOBAL THREATS

The United Nations Global Risk Report 2024 found that 35.4% of respondents ranked misinformation and disinformation among the top global threats. The same report warned that societies remain largely unprepared to face these risks, which can worsen geopolitical tensions, fuel unrest, and disrupt crisis response.