Meralco Vice President and Head of Corporate Communications Joe R. Zaldarriaga has called on the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) to strengthen its fight against fake news by putting media literacy at the center of its communications work.

Zaldarriaga delivered the message during the August 20 launch of the DFA’s “Truth, Talk and Tactics” media and information literacy program, where he addressed foreign service officers on strategies to identify and counter misinformation.

“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,” he said.

Zaldarriaga, who also sits on the board of the Public Relations Society of the Philippines (PRSP), underscored that safeguarding public trust requires consistent advocacy for verified information.

“I also advocate for media literacy, 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,” he added.

With nearly four decades in the communications field, Zaldarriaga shared insights on responsible public relations practices, stressing that effective communication goes beyond messaging—it involves upholding integrity and credibility in every interaction.

He also expressed support for the DFA’s initiative, saying that building communication capacity among foreign service officers is vital to protect institutions and promote responsible digital citizenship.

The DFA program seeks to equip its personnel with the skills to discern credible sources, strengthen risk communication, and manage the spread of false information. By training its officers in media and information literacy, the department hopes to counter misinformation more effectively while ensuring clear and trusted engagement with the public.

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