This might be a tad late but I would just like to join the online bandwagon of protest against the cyber libel clause in the recently passed cyber crime law (RA 10175).
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| V picture lifted from the V for Vendetta movie poster |
Anonymous Attacks
I used to be mildly annoyed when those worldwide “anonymous” attacks happened some time ago (the apathetic in me was all - why disrupt the "peace"?) and to be honest, I really don’t have a conclusive opinion on Julian Assange. That is, I’m all for transparency and I want to trust the world with a free fall of information but I really don't think it should be done because I really don't think we could trust the world with a free fall of information.
That being said, I still want to give these hackers my salute. Even if sensibility and morality would still tell us that we shouldn’t agree with illegal acts of protest.
Hacking all these sites just to make a point might border on illegality, but when people feel screwed and they are left feeling hopeless, I suppose, one cannot really be shocked if they resort to a bit of anarchy.
The government representatives have said on air that the hackers should come out and air their protests in the proper format. Yes, they probably should as, technically, this is the right thing to do. That is, IF this is possible and IF this will actually yield some real action.
As it is, a senator of the country blatantly plagiarized a whole lot of US bloggers and a US senator’s speech. People have protested in various platforms and nothing really happened. Said Senator never apologized, denied everything, and kept threatening everyone. Now said senator has (as reported by multiple media outlets) apparently inserted this online libel clause in this now controversial cyber crime bill. Where is the sense, the logic and the justice here?
Again, it is not surprising if the people have resorted to a bit of anarchy.
How can a bill meant primarily to bring justice to victims of more heinous online crimes, like child pornography, identity theft and other online scams, be deceitfully used as a vehicle to curb the people’s freedom of speech?!
I would say "SHAME!" but somehow this word feels so blunt.
It seems Tito Sotto keeps getting it wrong, doesn’t he? Unfortunately, everyone else who went with this cyber crime online libel inclusion also got it all wrong.
On this note, I am quite proud and delighted that pirate bay is commiserating with our cause.
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| Screen grab from pirate bay's site |
I am hoping something comes out of the people's clamor. Whether it be through a government official who truly believes in the cause or through someone who just wants to use the issue for a 2013 political bid, I will still take it.
I just think that this cyber libel clause came out of no where to punch us all in the face. It's not right. It's not fair.
Other components such as the government's increased power to regulate the internet, gather data on user activities, track social media accounts and block certain sites (similar to China) truly drags us back to the dark ages (or the martial law era). These are definite assaults on our right to the freedom of speech.
The bill has been passed. The error has been done, but the government now owes it to the people to ratify this wrong and make it right.
Please amend it.
Other components such as the government's increased power to regulate the internet, gather data on user activities, track social media accounts and block certain sites (similar to China) truly drags us back to the dark ages (or the martial law era). These are definite assaults on our right to the freedom of speech.
The bill has been passed. The error has been done, but the government now owes it to the people to ratify this wrong and make it right.
Please amend it.
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