baratillo @ cubao : www.baratillo.net

Two of the more interesting discussions in the Pinoy Blogosphere recently centered on two things: (i) Whether blogging was a right or privilege and (ii) the need for a code of ethics for bloggers. So … Is blogging a right or privilege? Do bloggers need a code of conduct? A question or two that begs a “to be or not to be” discussion. What is your take on it? This is what I think. An opinion, not humble just a simple opinion, I really do not think there is such a thing as a humble opinion, all opinions are personal and all of us who have opinions think highly of them, one can say we are proud of them. So, in my opinion ( you might agree or disagree with it) a humble opinion is as real as a Jabberwocky.

The act and intent to blog falls under the right to free speech. Everyone has the right to hold an opinion and the right to voice them without the fear of censorship. The way the message or opinion is delivered differs upon the financial resources and intellectual resources. And one can see how the privilege concept comes in, without the resources or time how can one blog. But, there are still options available for the financially strapped blogger to blog. There are several free blog hosting services like blogspot and blogsome. A number of successful blogs like, Filipino Librarian, Notes from the Peanut Gallery and Philippine Commentary are hosted on blogspot.

So, I think blogging falls under the right to free speech. It is an option on can take to express one’s ideas. The talk of whether blogging is a right or a privilege reminds me of something I read years before. In 1517, a German monk, priest, professor, and theologian posted his Disputation on the Power and Efficacy of Indulgences on the door of the Castle Church in Wittenberg. His post was called the 95 Theses and his name was Martin Luther. The blog as a me-publishing tool has the power to become one’s soapbox on the Internet and the web - our version of Speaker’s Corner in Hyde Park. While it is true that many may not opt to use it or even have no time to use at least for now it is there when needed. And for the same amount one spends surfing the net or playing on-line games at the neighborhood Internet shop one can blog about what one feels important or interesting.

Yes, blogging is a right. The right to express one’s ideas. A right that is guaranteed by most societies. A right that comes with duties and responsibilities. What are these duties and responsibilities? It differs from society to society but the most fundamental duty or responsibility is the post respect the reputation and rights of others.

And in this regard the move toward the development of a code of ethics for bloggers is good one. Although, I fear such a code might be good only in the written form alone, it might be adopted as policy but might not be adapted as practice. Then there is the worry that such a code may be used to impose a persons sets of values on another.

I remind myself that the blogosphere is the Speakers Corner of Hyde Park. If you can defend your post here you can defend it anywhere.

And speaking of rights, duties, and responsibilities. While contemporary society guarantees Freedom of Speech it has also devices in place to guarantee that this particular right is not abused. Hence, the exsistence of libel and similar laws.

It might just be more simpler to follow the two golden rules:

1. Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.

And the other less well known Golden rule also known as the plain meaning rule

2. Words must be understood in their ordinary sense.

And as regards the number and impact of Filipino bloggers at the present.

True not everyone can be bloggers, it is a matter of choice, guaranteed by the Right to Free Speech. The important thing to remember is that the on-line reader (whether he or she be a blogger or not) can now read the news or analysis not only from an on-line newspaper but also from a blog. The important thing is not how many bloggers there are but that the post exist and has the potential to be read by million or so readers.

Blogging: Right or Privilege and a Bloggers’ Code of Ethic seem to be a good topic for Iblog 3.

Here is a list of related posts from other blogs concerning Blogging: A Right or A Privilege. Thanks to Basang Panaginip’s round-up :

Links for the Blogger’s Code of Conduct