This post is to disagree with Abe Olandres on the issue of blogging as a privilege and not a right.
Blogging is a natural extension of what is stated in Article III Section 4 of the Philippine Constitution, and I quote:
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.
That article is entitled “Bill of Rights”. That section was placed there in posterity so that no one will ever tell somebody what he can say, when he can say what he wants, and how he wants to say it. No one is given the privilege of exercising free speech at the detriment of the others.
The UN Declaration of Human Rights (of which the Philippines is a signatory) guarantees the freedom of expression in Article 19:
Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression; this right includes freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers.
Abe’s arguments are best rebutted by Willy Prilles of Naga, and I quote him:
Yes, the lack of internet access, time and facility for language are formidable barriers to blogging today. But their existence does not make blogging less of a right that every citizen should have the freedom to enjoy — or decide not to enjoy at all.
In the same manner that simply because the Philippine blogging community today is a mostly elitist segment of society at large should deter ordinary citizens from wanting their voice to be heard and demanding their own seat on the table — in cyberspace. To the contrary, it is our challenge to tear down these barriers, or at least die trying.
Yes, blogging in the Philippines is limited at the moment. Blogging requires time, and time requires an Internet connection being available all the time. But this constraint can be overcome. Blogging is not always typing at the keyboard; one can write his/her thoughts on paper, rewrite, compile, and post them when the connection is possible. Blogging does not require that you blog every hour and every day. Blogging only requires that you post at some semblance of regularity.
Yes, blogging requires good language skills. What better way to hone that skill than blogging?
If blogging is not for everyone, then freedom of speech is not for everyone, too. So why bother with a Constitution? Besides, those who advance this line of argument only emphasizes the fact that we live in a class-based society.
Blogging is for everyone, but not everyone is born to blog. There lies the difference. I think.
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I understand where Abe is coming from. Fresh from the success of the Philippine Blog Awards, there are some quarters who are somehow unhappy with the event. That is to be expected. Only that some have overreacted. Sometimes being pissed off drives someone to say something irrational. All we can do is be magnanimous and graceful both at the same time.
Apologies have been issued, and it’s time to bury the hatchet, and enter the holidays with peace of mind.
