Poll: Most Filipinos rely on Internet for news

National

A NEW survey has revealed a massive shift in how Filipinos consume information, showing that the upcoming 2028 political campaigns will be heavily fought in the digital arena despite the ongoing challenges surrounding the spread of false information online.

According to a Pulse Asia survey conducted from May 3 to 7, online platforms, most notably Facebook, have firmly established themselves as the top news source for voters, with 83 percent of respondents saying they rely on the internet for updates.

The data, commissioned by the Stratbase group, shows traditional media outlets falling further behind internet-based sources. Only 64 percent of those surveyed look to television for their news, while radio captured just 27 percent. Print journalism continues to see a sharp decline, with newspapers named as a news source by a mere three percent of respondents.

Word-of-mouth and personal networks also maintain a notable foothold in the media landscape. Nearly a third of Filipinos (31 percent) still get their news from family and friends, while another 18 percent rely on broader circles of friends and acquaintances.

“The battle for public opinion in 2028 will be fought largely online. Candidates and political movements that fail to engage voters in the digital space risk losing relevance, especially among younger and highly connected Filipinos,” Stratbase founder Dindo Manhit said per a report by Philstar.

However, Manhit added that because television, radio, and personal relationships still influence a significant portion of the population, a winning national campaign will ultimately require a balanced strategy that bridges both online and offline communities.(Hanna Jane Cabasag, CNU COMM Intern)