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News Article by: Ian Nicolas P. Cigaral | January 14, 2024 | Philippine Daily Inquirer

Reference: Cigaral, I. N. P. (2024, January 14). Mis/disinformation tagged as No.1 threat to global stability |
SUMMARY AND INSIGHTS
 This article news by Ian Nicolas P. Cigaral reports that the World Economic Forum's
Global Risks Report identifies misinformation and disinformation as the top global risks for the
next two years. The report highlights the ease of generating falsified information with the help of
artificial intelligence, contributing to the manipulation of public opinion and division within
nations. The rise of "fake news" played a role in the political resurgence of the Marcos heirs in
the Philippines, as observed during the 2022 elections. The impending 2025 midterm elections in
the country are expected to see a continuation of online manipulation to support administration
candidates. As we can see, individuals who benefitted from this were the political figures, like
the Marcos heirs, who benefitted from the proliferation of misinformation by gaining support and
making a political comeback. Moreover, creators of falsified information who are capable of
generating synthetic content, including through AI models, may exploit the ease of dissemination
for various purposes.

With that, this will negatively affect public trust and democracy since misinformation
undermines our trust in information sources and can erode the foundations of democratic
processes. Therefore, the use of falsified information can contribute to political polarization and
instability. For its implications for economic units, households may be adversely affected by the
manipulation of public opinion, leading to decisions based on false information and contributing
to political and economic instability. On the other hand, individuals who successfully identify
and resist misinformation can make more informed decisions. While on the firm, they may face
challenges if political instability affects the regulatory environment or consumer confidence. On
the other hand, companies involved in cybersecurity and fact-checking services may experience
increased demand as organizations seek ways to combat misinformation. With that, the
proliferation of falsified information poses significant risks to trust, democracy, and political
stability. While some political entities may benefit, the broader impact can be detrimental to
households and firms, influencing decision-making and contributing to economic uncertainties.
Therefore, by addressing this global risk, we can execute efforts along with the governments,
platforms, and society to promote information integrity and combat the spread of
misinformation.
 A. SUMMARY/HIGHLIGHTS of the NEWS ARTICLE;
B. IMPLICATIONS OF THE ARTICLE whether positive or negative. Make emphasis on its
implications to the two economic units: households and firms.