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Thursday, June 30, 2005
Toral: Blogs and self-empowerment
By Janette Toral
Digital Filipino
WHIRLWIND. Over the past three weeks, we have experienced a whirlwind of political issues so that many young people feel helpless about doing anything. It’s like becoming part of a codependency conspiracy, where what is popular and practical rules the day, rather than what is morally right.
When the Internet, information technology and e-commerce came, they were seen to level the playing field for all of us—young or old, rural or urban, male or female. However, I believe most of us don’t realize the extent of technology’s power.
The Internet gives us a taste of what globalization is all about. Once you go online, you are surfing the world. Where you want to go and how much you want to learn is up to you.
In the old days, power was limited to nations. As commerce developed, the markets began playing a role and having the power to bring down the economy or even a presidency.
With technology, this power is now extended to individuals. That is why SMS (short messaging system) prevailed in Edsa 2. In the Gloriagate scandal, blogs have just demonstrated the extent of their power if used by credible individuals, nongovernment organizations or entities.
When the National Telecommunications Commission threatened the broadcast media with possible closure if they played the Gloriagate tapes, blogs like www.pcij.org/blog fearlessly provided downloadable versions of the tapes with transcripts.
Immediately, this got linked by numerous blogs, where various opinions were exchanged on the issue. The discussions were extensive and analytical.
After the Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism’s (PCIJ) Gloriategate tape got played by InqTV in ABC 5, I was reminded of the opening speech during the 1st Philippine Blogging Summit last May. If I recall correctly, it was mentioned that bloggers may have the power that SMS had last Edsa 2 in taking down a president.
If President Arroyo steps down because of the Gloriagate scandal, it will serve as a testimony to the power of blogs to affect change.
We can’t say that we are helpless today. If you are still young (born during Martial Law or Edsa 1) and have no platform to express yourself, blog and engage yourself in discussions on politics, national security, financial markets, technology, environment and culture.
Our earlier generations’ codependency conspiracy and passive attitudes have resulted in all the troubles and immoral governance we are always having.
All of us have a choice. I hope that leaving the country is not our only option.
(janette@digitalfilipino.com)
(June 30, 2005 issue)
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