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Wednesday, October 2, 2024

A Call to Defend Freedom of Expression in the Digital Age: Why Bloggers and Vloggers Shouldn't Be Silenced


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Sa lahat ng mga kasama natin na social media content creators at influencers, vloggers man o bloggers. Sana magkaisa rin tayo sa pagtuligsa sa COMELEC sa paghihigpit ni Chairman George Garcia at para kunsultahin muna sana ang mga Bloggers/Vloggers. 

Bago nila pagbawalan mag post ng political campaign ads sa any social media platform. Ang paghihigpit sa mga bloggers/vloggers ay paglabag sa Constitution. Pagbibigay sa lahat ng equal protection rights and expression for individual rights ay garantiya sa ating constitution. "Freedom of speech is a principle that supports the freedom of an individual or a community to articulate their opinions and ideas without fear of retaliation, censorship, or legal sanction.

" Obvius ang dahilan, kaya hinihigpitan nila ang mga social media influencers. Para ma monopolya ng mainstream media ang advertising. Bilyon bilyon na naman ang kikitain ng mainstream media.dito. Gusto nila sila na lang ang kikita. Kaya huwag tayo pumayag kay George Garcia sa ganitong maka Hitler na pagpanig lang sa mainstream media. May karapatan din tayo bilang social media practitioners na makapag campaign sa social media as our platform. Maraming salamat. God Bless!

English Translation:

"To all members. Let us also unite in condemning the COMELEC for Chairman George Garcia's stringent measures requiring bloggers/vloggers to be consulted before they are banned from posting political campaign ads on any social media platform. The crackdown on bloggers/vloggers is a violation of the Constitution. Granting everyone equal protection rights and the right to expression is guaranteed by our Constitution. 'Freedom of speech is a principle that supports the freedom of an individual or a community to articulate their opinions and ideas without fear of retaliation, censorship, or legal sanction.' The reason is obvious: they are tightening the regulations on social media influencers to monopolize advertising for mainstream media. Mainstream media stands to make billions from this. They want to be the only ones profiting. Let us not allow George Garcia to align himself with mainstream media in such a Hitler-like manner. We, as social media practitioners, also have the right to campaign on social media as our platform. Thank you very much. God bless to all."



The recent controversy surrounding the tightening of regulations by the Commission on Elections (COMELEC), particularly under Chairman George Garcia, has sparked a heated debate about freedom of expression, censorship, and the role of social media influencers in political campaigns. As the digital landscape continues to expand, this issue is becoming a central topic not just for bloggers, vloggers, and content creators, but for every Filipino who values freedom of speech and equal access to media platforms.


The Issue at Hand

Comelec’s decision to consult with bloggers and vloggers before potentially restricting their ability to post political campaign ads on social media platforms has raised significant concerns. The move is seen as an attempt to curb the influence of social media personalities during election periods, which many argue is a direct violation of constitutional rights. The Constitution guarantees equal protection under the law and ensures that every individual has the right to freely express their opinions without fear of censorship or retribution.

However, the stringent rules being proposed by COMELEC appear to be targeting a specific group—social media influencers, who have become key players in shaping public opinion and political discourse in recent years.


Freedom of Speech at Stake

The principle of freedom of speech is at the heart of this controversy. It protects the ability of individuals and communities to share their ideas and opinions openly. Any form of restriction or censorship on this right threatens the democratic foundation of our society.
When bloggers and vloggers are prevented from posting political ads, it not only stifles their voice but also limits the range of perspectives available to the public.

This raises the question: Why the sudden crackdown on social media influencers? The answer seems clear to many observers—this is an effort to monopolize political advertising, funneling billions into the pockets of mainstream media companies, while cutting off smaller, independent voices from the conversation.


Monopolizing Media Power

The rise of social media has shifted the balance of power in the media industry. In the past, mainstream media outlets—television networks, newspapers, and radio stations—dominated political advertising. But with the advent of platforms like Facebook, YouTube, and Instagram, bloggers, vloggers, and influencers have emerged as credible and influential sources of information.

This new wave of digital content creators has democratized access to media, allowing individuals from all walks of life to participate in political discourse. However, by imposing new regulations, COMELEC appears to be pushing to re-centralize media power in the hands of mainstream outlets. The potential profits from political campaign ads are staggering, and mainstream media stands to benefit greatly if these restrictions come into play, as they eliminate competition from smaller, independent players in the digital space.


Why Bloggers and Vloggers Matter

Bloggers and vloggers play a crucial role in modern democracy. They provide alternative perspectives that are often absent from mainstream media coverage. They are able to connect directly with their audiences, engaging with people on a personal level and offering insights that resonate with real experiences.

The rise of social media has allowed ordinary citizens to have a voice, sharing their thoughts on political issues, candidates, and policies without needing the backing of a large media corporation. For many, social media has become the primary platform for consuming news and forming opinions on political matters. Restricting influencers from participating in the political advertising space would deprive millions of Filipinos of diverse viewpoints.


A Call for Unity

Now more than ever, it is crucial for social media practitioners, bloggers, vloggers, and their supporters to unite against these oppressive regulations. The move to silence influencers is not just an issue for content creators; it is a direct attack on freedom of speech and the right to equal participation in the political process.

Chairman George Garcia’s alignment with mainstream media, likened to authoritarian control, must be resisted. 





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