The battle for facts needs you.

This is what more than 100 organizations from the media, coalitions, civil society, business, academe, law, and the Church said as they launched a first-of-its kind initiative on Wednesday, January 26, 2022, called “#FactsFirstPH.”

#FactsFirstPH brings together various sectors that are committed to promoting truth in the public space, and exacting accountability on those who harm it with lies.

“The fight against disinformation and fake news is a fight that comes part and parcel with the plight of the marginalized and underrepresented – the very people that alternative media networks and community journalists pledge to serve. Many things hang in the balance in the coming elections, and we cannot just stand and let disinformation reign supreme. In the coming weeks and months, as community journalists continue reporting stories that those in power seek to efface, we vow to exert all efforts not only to speak truth to power but also hold those in power to account,” said Rhea Padilla, national coordinator of Altermidya Network.

#FactsFirstPH will collectively push for truth-telling and debunking lies through four steps: fact-checking by news organizations; networking by civil society and grassroots groups; research and analysis by academic institutions; and seeking accountability by lawyers’ groups.
“The attack on facts is personal: if you defend the facts, you’re hammered down, intimidated to stay silent or join the mob. Those aren’t our only options. There is strength in standing up together. Because now more than ever, we need facts,” Rappler CEO and Nobel Peace Prize laureate Maria Ressa said.

The goal of FactsFirstPH is to make truth spread faster and further than lies and hate. It’s a first-of-its-kind, four-layer approach to help restore the integrity of elections, and give the public the information they need to choose the leaders they want on May 9.
As of Wednesday, January 26, over 100 organizations are part of this multi-sectoral initiative. More partners will be invited to the project.

This collaboration is supported by technology non-profit group Meedan, Rappler, and Google News Initiative.
Below is a full list of participating groups in this initiative as of 7 am of Wednesday January 26:

FACT-CHECKING

ABKD Network
ABS‐CBN Integrated News and Current Affairs
Altermidya
Baguio Chronicle
Catholic Media Network
Daily Guardian
Interaksyon
Mindanao Gold Star
News5 Digital
OneNewsPH
PressOne
Probe Productions
Radyo Veritas
Rappler

MESH
#CourageON Coalition (89 members)
#PHVote Coalition (45 members)
2030 Youth Force in the Philippines
ACP3- PEACE T.A.Y.O.
Alyansa ng Kabataang Mindanao para sa Kapayapaan (AKMK)
Amateur Media Association of Philippine Scouts
Bantay Bakuna
Bayan Mo Patrol Mo
BlogWatch
Boto Pilipino
Break the Fake
Brotherhood of Christian – Businessmen & Professionals
Caloocan Young Leaders Initiative
Caritas Philippines
Catholic Bishop’s Conference of the Philippines
Center for Trade Union and Human Rights
Coalition for People’s Right to Health
College Editors Guild of the Philippines
Concerned Artists of the Philippines
Council for Health and Development
Dakila
Fact Check Philippines
FEU Central Student Organization
Financial Executives Institute of the Philippines
Foundation for Media Alternatives
Fyt
Holy Angel University
Human Rights Watch
Ibon Foundation
ImagineLaw
Juan Health PH
Ka-Ilongga
Kalikasan
Karapatan
Kilos na para sa Kabuhayan, Kalusugan at Karapatan (K4)
Kontra Daya
LILAK
Makati Business Club
Move As One coalition
National Alliance of Youth Leaders Inc.
Northern Dispatch
Now You Know
Out of the Box
Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting (PPCRV)
Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism
PMCJ
Practice of Administrative Leadership and Service – NCPAG
Rise Up for Life and For Rights (and EcuVoice Philippines)
Student Council Alliance of the Philippines
Tamang Boto
Tatak Botante
The Amaranth
UE – Manila CASSC
University of the Philippines – Los Baños
Visayas State University
YouVote Global Shapers Iloilo Hub

RESEARCH
ACCeSs@AIM: Analytics, Computing, and Complex Systems Lab of Asian Institute of Management
De La Salle University – La Salle Institute of Governance
Far Eastern University – Public Policy Center
Philippine Media Monitoring Laboratory, UP Department of Communication Research
Rappler Research and Data team

ACCOUNTABILITY
Free Legal Assistance Group
Movement Against Disinformation
National Union of Journalists in the Philippines
Philippine Bar Association