Rights or Limitations for Journalists

Senator Jinggoy Estrada filed a bill for the journalist. It is popularly known as Senate Bill 380 (An Act providing for a Magna Carta for Journalists). However, the said bill is considered as unconstitutional because it contradicts the Section 4, Article III of the Philippine Constitution: “NO LAW SHALL BE PASSED ABRIDGING THE FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION, OF SPEECH, AND OF THE PRESS.”

According to PEP (Philippine Entertainment Portal), the bill also includes that reporters, editors and photographers must take professional journalism examination. Senator Jinggoy said in his explanatory note that It is necessary for the enactment of a law that will ensure a living wage, an atmosphere conducive to productive journalism work, reiterate value of ethics, provide for development programs that will deepen the practice of their profession, and promote the defense and protection of freedom and human rights of journalists and their organizations. It is also stated in this bill the making of the Philippine Council for Journalist who will conduct “Professional Journalist Examination” and will give accreditation for the journalists. Those who will go against this bill “shall be ground for appropriate sanctions as may be determined by the PCJ after due process.” “Accredited journalist shall be entitled to all benefits and privileges that may be accorded to them by law, by their employers, and by the PCJ” however “they shall enjoy only those benefits and privileges accorded to them by their employers.”

In my opinion based from the above information given by PEP, this bill is not a privilege for the journalist but a limitation. It’s so ironic to file this kind of bill. No wonder Senator Jinggoy received lots of criticisms, it looks like he and his staffs didn't’ scrutinize it well. He said he was hurt by the barrage of criticisms because his purpose is to upgrade the level of media practice in the Philippines. If I am going to analyze his bill, I think it’s not for the betterment of the living of the journalists but for the politician’s sake. They wanted to control the population of the press and to earn profit from qualifying examinations, official accreditation card, required seminars and even the exemption interviews.

My point here is we don’t need to undergo in this process because we have the freedom of expression bill. Citizen doesn't  need a license  to  exercise  the  freedom of  speech  and  the  press  guaranteed  in  the  Constitution.

What's With Bakit Hindi Ka Crush Ng Crush Mo?

Have you read the book “Bakit Hindi Ka Crush ng Crush Mo? Written by the famous internet action star Ramon Bautista? This famous book was turned into movie last July 31, 2013. I am not a fan of this best seller book but the poster of the movie with KimXi (Kim Chiu and Xian Lim) convinced me to watch it. The poster made me curious about the real content of the movie. I don’t know if it’s like a typical damsel in distress movie with a happy ending or an ugly protagonist turned into a chic.

So here it goes, when I was watching the movie, it made me laugh 100x, in love for 200x and it breaks my heart 300x. When it comes to love everyone can relate, because no one is exempted in this category. Thanks to Kim Chiu’s hilarious performance because she really did well in playing the role of Sandy Veloso. Sandy (Kim Chiu) just got dumped by her boyfriend while Alex (Xian Lim) returns to the Philippines after calling his wedding off. The two cross paths when Alex was assigned to save the family's record company which is on the brink of bankruptcy. One of the solutions is lay people off which include Sandy. Alex finds out that the only person who knows the company really well is Sandy, so he hires her back but they soon discover that the record company is not the only thing that needs to be saved.

This movie is not just about relationships but also how you value your self worth when you’re in love. It also tackles about family, the importance of the attention of the parents to their children that even though they have grown up, parents are still obliged to guide and protect their children from physical and emotional attack of the society.

Some said that there were shortcomings of the script because most of the viewers already read the book before they watch the movie. My advantage is I didn’t read the book so I didn’t expect too much. As what I learned from the movie, don’t expect too much from others so that you won’t get hurt in the end.  It’s also applicable in reviewing a movie. Still, the movie succeeds because of the engaging performance of the lead stars and effective chemistry that made the romance work.

Social Media as Our Daily Bread

As one of the individuals of this present generation, can you live without social networking sites? Or, can you pass a day without spending an hour logging in on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram? Of course not, as long as technology is there and gadgets are everywhere, online life is continuous.

In 2006, Time Magazine made an interesting choice for person of the year. The person was “you” meaning more specifically, people who use the Internet to write articles, post videos or blogs, and contribute to different Internet groups. Essentially, the “you” referred to another word that has become more frequently used in the past few years, “netizen.” The word comes from the combination of the terms Internet and citizen.

 Cyber world, the world of computers and communications begets online life. How people can live without this life if it keeps you connected and updated?

Social networking sites increase social interaction and connections. In just a snap of your finger, you can easily send your message with the helping hand of the internet. You can chat without actually going places and learn things that are happening today. We actually express our feelings when we respond on these types of networking sites and interact in every way. Also it will help you find people you haven’t seen for so many years. Impossible can be possible and distant places will no longer be distant if with just one click you can witness a video or a photo of it.

The anonymous can be famous. People who are afraid to be judge by others, or those who are introvert can hide their identity and post whatever they want to. They can also give comments and join debates without hesitations. They can express their point of view and have it challenged in a way they might not have seen it before. They get to have their own stance on issues.

There is no age limit. As long as you have the capacity to use it or you’re a computer literate, age doesn’t matter. Even a 4 year old boy can have his online life as long as he knows how to navigate computers or gadgets.

However, this type of life is more than tools for narcissists. Social networking sites are increasing in popularity but are really destroying natural and healthy interpersonal relationships and foster ignorance of the human condition. It has also its down fall. Sites like these can cause people to come passive and complacent without true social skills.

In this world, no life is perfect. It has always its ups and downs. But as a responsible individual, you must use it in a proper way that you won’t harm your fellows. Online life is actually a blessing if you don’t take it for granted. Everything has a limit. You can’t escape laws and rules. If you don’t abide it, the real world that created the cyber world will let you pay for your irresponsibility.