Verified Journalism and Source Transparency Act (Proposed)
EXPLANATORY NOTE
The rapid rise of misinformation and fake news on social media has created a national crisis in truth, accountability, and public trust. Every day, millions of citizens unknowingly share unverified posts, anonymous claims, and clickbait headlines with no clear source, author, or editorial oversight. In the absence of a basic reference system, falsehood spreads faster than facts—undermining public opinion, elections, and democracy itself.
The Verified Journalism and Source Transparency Act proposes a simple yet powerful reform: all public news posts and articles published on social media must include three key elements—(1) the journalist’s name, (2) the reference or source link, and (3) a publicly visible Journalist Credibility Score (JCS) ranging from 1 to 100. The score will help users identify if the journalist has a track record of verified reporting, or a history of spreading disinformation.
The Journalist Credibility Score will be based on measurable factors such as affiliation with a reputable media organization, years of experience, number of articles written, investigative depth, and a transparency record comparing fake news versus legitimate articles over time. A score of 80 and above shall be considered “Highly Credible,” helping the public discern which content is trustworthy. News with anonymous authors or unclear sourcing shall be labeled “Unverified” and deprioritized in visibility.
This Act empowers citizens to make informed decisions by promoting truth as a civic standard. It does not ban freedom of expression but introduces a layer of transparency that discourages anonymous propaganda and incentivizes responsible journalism. In time, it will reshape online behavior—encouraging netizens to share news only from credible sources, and helping protect society from the damaging effects of manipulated narratives.
Drafted and Authored by Jonelle Peter Muñoz
Proponent of Verified Journalism and Source Transparency Act.
All rights reserved. This proposed measure was conceptualized, structured, and written under the sole authorship of Jonelle Peter Muñoz. Any assistance from language tools or editors was under direct guidance and does not alter authorship.
Originality Verification Reward
To uphold the integrity and originality of this initiative, I am offering a ₱550 or $10 reward to anyone who can prove that any proposed bill on this site is at least 80% similar to an existing law. This reward system reflects my commitment to transparency and invites public scrutiny to help refine and improve these legislative ideas for the nation.
To participate, simply create a public post on Facebook comparing the proposed bill with the existing law you believe it resembles. Include clear points of comparison, such as purpose, scope, and legal mechanisms, and tag my name: Jonelle Peter Muñoz. This makes the process transparent and allows both the public and myself to fairly assess the claim.