Why do we need a national bloggers’ association?
One major rationale that I would like to discuss now is this: the preservation of the rights of bloggers as human beings and as citizen journalists. An association that is national in character and enjoys recognition by Filipino bloggers can have the mandate to uphold these rights. It would be able to stand by bloggers (members or otherwise) facing rights abuses such as, among other things, plagiarism, censorship and frivolous libel cases. Heaven forbid that Filipino bloggers begin to be at the receiving end of what our oppposite numbers are facing in Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia….
I’m not saying this level of maturity in an organization can be attained right off the bat. No, it will take much time and energy. But the groundwork must be laid down already if it is to be given the chance to reach it.
Some might scoff at the idea of bloggers in Pasig or Iloilo or General Santos getting persecuted, as in the case of Chiranuch Premchaiporn of Bangkok or Sultan al-Khalaifi of Doha, Qatar. We enjoy free expression here, don’t we? Yes… and no. Keep in mind that our country carries the burden of having the most number of journalists killed in action in the world.
An increasing number of bloggers (and observers) has been proclaiming how impactful blogs and bloggers have become in the Philippines. The fact alone that the major media outlets have now made it a regular thing to have bloggers as resource persons points to the mainstreaming of bloggers and their online activities. The coming-of-age of bloggers, if you will. That’s the good part.
The potential bad part is this. A number of our politicians are showing tendencies of emulating our neighbors’ own government leaders, what with the proliferation of anti-privacy and dangerously Big-Brother-esque bills in Congress; e.g., the proposed prepaid SIM registration bill, the so-called cybercrime prevention bills, among others. These politicians are themselves coming to appreciate just how powerful our voices can be — what more if we were organized? I wouldn’t be surprised if I found out that these politicians, too keenly aware of our potential, were devising ways to stunt our growth. To nip us in the bud, so to speak. Think Freedom of Information Act and why it’s being eased out.
We cannot let our guard down. We must come together as a single voice in order to project unity of purpose and principles. That way, we can achieve things for the common good. We may be of different minds in terms of belief systems, but if we all shared a dream of seeing a more progressive Philippines, then our differences wouldn’t matter. Along the way, however, we need to safeguard our rights in the difficult process of contributing to nation-building.
Owing to the fact that not one of the journalist killings since Gloria Arroyo’s regime has been solved, there surely are unseen operators in society at large that want to perpetuate the status quo. There are elusive forces out there that keep the powerful in power and the poor wallowing in poverty. They pose a potential threat to our safety, to our freedom.
It may be that not many Filipino bloggers are involved in advocacy journalism, but there are those who are, and there will be others to come. A national organization of bloggers, if it had the mandate, could act as a deterrent against unscrupulous elements who might attempt to silence their activism. Furthermore, such an entity could interface with like-minded organizations around the world, such as the Electronic Frontier Foundation, thus providing itself with a layer of security when positive synergies ensue.
Standing alone, a blogger could also have a significant impact upon society, could also protect himself from physical or pscyhological attack. But standing with peers in an organization, the impact would be more reverberating, and the need for self-preservation may not be necessary anymore.
It was nobody’s intention to polarize the blogging community. Although, I suppose it’s not surprising that it has sparked debates; we are, after all, an argumentative bunch. The intent behind the idea to form a national bloggers association was borne out of a desire to create a nationwide community of bloggers. So, let’s please continue the dialogues and, hopefully, we might arrive at the answer not to ‘Should we or shouldn’t we have an association?’, but to ‘What kind of association should we form?’.
To participate in the ongoing discussions via Twitter, please monitor and use this hashtag: #nbaph.
As I’ve said previously, the proposed association need not be all-encompassing in terms of membership. A blogger who opts out shouldn’t necessarily feel left out, he/she should not be alienated. The association, in my opinion, should protect the rights of every blogger, member or not. Perhaps members would benefit from, say, discounts for seminars and such (they’d be paying membership dues, after all), but the overarching purpose of the organization should benefit all Filipino bloggers.
Read the Blogger’s Manifesto
7 March 2011 • 11:01 pm
I believe legal protections for bloggers is a necessary step – but it’s interesting for a blogger to consider whether having a more legally defined status will have a consequence in generating a more professional and legal responsibilities. I mean here the quality of the bloggers we have.
Anyway,in my humble opinion, bloggers should be protected for reasons like we are entitled for free speech, like what you’ve stated we can be a journalist and we have a right to be anonymous. Just like
But sad to say, in the Philippines we’re not protected even though we’re undergoing the same risks with the broadcast and print media practitioners.
8 March 2011 • 4:10 am
Amen to that!
I have seen first-hand what oppressive environments can do to people who uphold free expression. And I have seen as well how beautiful it is in places where freedom is enjoyed by their people. That is why I am always for moves that will work towards ensuring our continuing progress towards responsible freedom.
8 March 2011 • 4:45 pm
Good to hear that Blogie! I hope these things would be realized very soon. It’s wonderful to blog with freedom while urging people to make a difference in their lives. Hats off to you!
8 March 2011 • 5:19 am
jeezus! the dust storm you’ve kicked up with this blogging association is something else, brother blogie! I’ve followed the various links leading to positive and negative sides, and this whole thing’s headed for a disaster if nobody reins in these troublesome noisemakers. on second thought, from an outsider’s point of view, it sure is fun! sorry. it just gets rather boring here in good ole canada at times. seriously, your efforts are laudable, mon ami. i wish you and your compatriots the best!
8 March 2011 • 5:46 am
Ça va, Mikael. Merci beaucoup! Mais alors, let’s refrain from such words as “rein in” when referring to bloggers, shall we? Aside from next to impossible to do, it would be certain digital death if you even tried. LOL!
9 March 2011 • 11:44 pm
“What kind of association should we form?”
with the depth and breadth of the blogosphere in the past, now, and in the future? i lean towards — “none”.
that said, an advocacy group similar to that of the EFF might be more workable, if the issue is online freedom of expression. a small group of specialists dedicated to the protection of consti 3:4, consti 3:7, and consti 3:3, a group depending monetarily and logistically on the support of volunteers, donors, and fellow advocates might be the best way to go.
plus, there will be no need to attempt the futile task of herding LOLcats. :)
22 March 2011 • 5:28 am
Hear hear Blogie! It seems like only a matter of time regulations will end up on the wed in every shape form and fashion. Blogging has become a very important way for information to be heard world wide. Every great thing starts with an idea from pioneer’s like yourself. Follow your gut feeling and keep our freedoms safe all around the world. Thank you Blogie Robbilo!!!
24 November 2011 • 9:54 pm
Hi Blogie, we met during my recent visit to Davao weeks ago. We’re now involved here in organizing the Visayas Blogging Summit 2011 this November 26, 2011 at the SM City Cebu. Among other objectives, we intend to strengthen the relationship among Visayas bloggers most of whom are in Cebu, Negros, and Panay. Admittedly, most bloggers here are not advocacy oriented and the keynote speaker of the summit is pushing for turning blogs into businesses. Nevertheless, we managed to also include among the speakers Kabataan party list Rep. Mong Palatino because the organizers also want to hear about how networking with organizations like Global Voices and advocacy.
I hope you’re still interested in helping me out with developing this politika2013.wordpress.com blog into some kind of a forum opinion makers in the Visayas and Mindanao. This should help Visayas and Mindanao bloggers develop relationships around advocacy and political commentary.
14 December 2011 • 10:12 am
Well said Blogie, we really need some association to protect all of the Filipino Bloggers.
I don’t think bloggers are protected under the journalist rights because bloggers are not journalists.
So it’s time for this things to make it happen.