PURPOSIVE COMMUNICATION

SECOND SEMESTER
BA COMMUNICATION – BROADCAST JOURNALISM

Carl John L. Griño Mrs. Gilda Rivera

Broadcast Journalist - Student Professor

Topic: Championing Truth amid Pandemic

General Purpose: To inform
Specific Purpose: To inform my audience about the different misleading stories
about the COVID-19 pandemic. Also, to teach my audience
some strategies on how to fact-check information.
Thesis: From pandemic to infodemic, one of the issues now that there
is a pandemic is the spread of false information or misleading
stories. But it can be resolved if everyone knows how to verify
the information.

Distinguished guests, teachers, fellow students, friends, ladies and gentlemen, good day!
Before anything else, I would like to introduce myself, I am Carl John Grino, 1 st year
student under Broadcast Journalism class. It is a great opportunity to be part of the
toastmaster’s speech competition 2021. And I am here presenting myself virtually to
emphasize how to champion truth amid pandemic.
An Australian-born American political commentator and journalist named Brianna Keilar
once said that misinformation is a virus unto itself and the one who spreads it is the vector.
Ms. Keilar's daily newscast on CNN on September 18, 2020, debunks the misleading and
false claims made by Fox News about the coronavirus pandemic. So what is so strange
about this? Well, it means that even large media companies could intentionally or
unintentionally produce misleading reports that could cause chaos.
The spread of COVID-19 rattled the entire world. With the spread of the virus came a
massive influx of information about the pandemic on social media. But the question, are
those information reliable? Starting from pandemic to infodemic, one of the issues now
that there is a pandemic is the spread of false information or misleading stories. But it can
be resolved if everyone knows how to verify the information.
Now, let me present to you three myths or fake information about COVID-19. And at the
same time to divulge the truth behind these misleading stories.
Amid the pandemic in the Philippines, many social media users shared a video of a
woman saying in front of the camera that COVID-19 is not real and that the government
is fabricating it to make money. Although that person is not an expert, many people,
including some of my relatives, are still convinced.
PURPOSIVE COMMUNICATION
SECOND SEMESTER
BA COMMUNICATION – BROADCAST JOURNALISM

Now, let us fact-checked that statement. Fact-checking organizations have already

debunked information online about the false belief that COVID-19 is not existing or a
hoax. As a matter of fact, millions of people are already infected and died. It also
destabilizes the economy of many countries. Therefore, COVID-19 is real and
continuously threatening the world’s economic and social stability.
Another story is that drinking alcoholic beverages can help prevent COVID-19 and can
be used as a substitute for rubbing alcohols. But let us fact-checked that statement.
According to the World Health Organization, these claims has no scientific basis. Still,
following minimum safety health protocols, such as wearing a mask, keeping a physical
distance, and regular hand washing, is the best way to prevent the spread of the virus.
There are people, both online and offline, who claim that there are numerous herbal
medicines and antibiotics on the market capable of preventing and treating COVID-19.
But let us fact-checked that statement. The World Health Organization emphasized that
no drug is currently available to prevent or cure the virus. They are only giving supportive
care to alleviate the patient’s symptoms.
Although we want to get everything back to normal, we must still remember to follow the
experts and not immediately believe the information that has no proper basis to prevent
the problem from getting worse. Aside from following safety protocols such as regular
hand washing, let us encourage the Filipino people and the international community to
fact-check information regularly. Examining the article's date and author, considering
multiple sources, and using fact-checking websites are strategies to verify the information
given.
Brianna Keilar once said that misinformation is a virus unto itself and the one who spreads
it is the vector. Together, let us work as one to break the chain of information disorder.
Also, let us pledge to spread factual information in both the digital and physical world.
I am Carl Grino, thank you!