Into this BLACK PARADE

Article III Section 4 states: “No law shall be passed abridging the freedom of speech, of expression, or of the press, or the right of the people peaceably to assemble and petition the government for redress of grievances.” (memorized ko to dati)

I may have forgotten the lessons we had during Sir Viduya’s Press Freedom class, but there is one lesson I will never forget from this old man: ABSOLUTE FREEDOM MAY LEAD TO CHAOS. BUT on the contrary, no freedom at all will bring bigger chaos and despair in a generation that has been mold during the rise of the digital age.

This generation breathes and craves the wonder that is the web. It may have been a bad thing, but that’s beside the point. With the demassification (coined from Sir Bernabe, COC-PUP) of communication, opinions are creeping to be heard. The social media has been a tool to create a wider viewpoint for other people who seem not to care at all. If not for the Facebook blackout, would teens and other uninterested people be interested to even look up what the Cybercrime Law stands for?

 The bloggers, with even little information they may produce, also create an alternative learning grounds for the youth. Little information that breeds and snowballs into greater idea and sensible points that may later on serve us best in the future. We must move forward. Embrace the digital age. Redefine social media as a tool for development. Hindi ganito.

So with this law, does it mean that citizen journalism should be abolished entirely? Let us not forget that during the last election, frauds and misgivings were reported urgently through social media. And seriously, libel? Everyone could be filed with libel, given that the law states that anything you say REAL or IMAGINARY can be used against you.

Whatever happened to being able to express your despair for undeserving politicians or people in power? Whatever happened to what our people fought for during the EDSA Revolution?

 I know that somehow, this law can do something good for the country and I respect that. But it is necessary that they amend it to become more suitable for this generation. Fight for the real “crimes”. Fight for what’s worth fighting for, just like how Ninoy died for something worth dying for. I am not 100% against it. Rules and limitations should be set, that is true. But please set the records straight.

Criticisms are hard. Bullying is unforgivable. But being shutdown is insane. The problem is not the freedom to express opinion; the problem is how you handle the fact thrown in your face. That is your problem. Now you fix that and stay away from us.

I am no expert. I did not even take my Press Freedom class seriously, but given the situation, the lessons that were instilled to us make sense. Journalism or Communication students will sound off because this is the foundation of our education: that we are given the freedom to say what we want to say and create ideas that would express what the society should embrace. It creates a tug in our hearts not to react.

ABSOLUTE FREEDOM MAY LEAD TO CHAOS. True. But our country does not practice absolute freedom would you believe? Because there are still certain rules and ethics given to media. With the surge of social media and citizen journalism, these rules are not followed and that’s what we should all put in consideration. Do not take away our right to agree and disagree on issues, like or unlike, or whatever gives.

Cybercrime Law is forgivable if you know who the real enemy is.

Basta, yan ang stand ko. Nothing follows.