Editorial: A call for participation

ADMIT it. You do not fully understand what the howl of protest is all about. We admitted as much. A small group of journalists/bloggers gathered along with a big group of students last Saturday to share our perplexity; all of us agreeing that the there is indeed a need for a law against cybercrime, but what our elected officials handed over to us is a law that lumps us, the people, along with those who do cybersex, sell cyber porn, and multi-million dollar internet scams.

Here you are, the ordinary Juan dela Cruz, interacting with friends and exchanging views and sharing frustrations, now sharing the same air as those who slink in the dark playing with dildoes and chains and asking friends for emergency funds because you got stuck in some faraway land with your passport, credit cards, and money stolen.

But then, we are journalists and bloggers, people who use the internet and social media extensively but are not into spreading dissent to push forward some ideology, so what do we do?

We opt for better understanding and we bring along the young ones with us.

Thus, we are inviting journalists, bloggers, students, and all, to join us in the "Freedom of Expression is not a Crime: Cybercrime Law Protest and Education Drive kick-off activity" tomorrow, Tuesday, from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. at the Freedom Park along Roxas Boulevard. We're just massing up as a show of support for all groups who filed their petitions against the Cybercrime Protection Law with the Supreme Court. The Supreme Court is supposed to deliberate on these petitions on October 9.

From there, we split up into our own little groups again, but the group of journalists who organized this gathering are gathering student volunteers to train them become speakers on what are the objectionable parts of this law. After all, we are for the dissemination of proper information and better understanding.

We are not against the law. There is a need for a law that cracks down on scammers and child porn producers and internet sex sellers. We should not be lumped with these criminals and our constitutionally protected right to freedom of expression should be upheld at all times, especially by those who make and implement our laws.

Just in case our politicians have forgotten what Article III Section 4 of the Philippine Constitution says, we 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 assembler and petition the government for redress of grievances.