Draw the Line

              What makes up the substance of life is that we know when and how to draw the line.

   Everyone can't fail to think of how arduous it was to fight for the democracy---for the freedom that we now enjoy; and it includes one's freedom to speak about his thoughts and panoramas. Hence, it is clearly expressed in the Philippine Constitution that there should be a subsistence of the freedom of speech and expression. Accordingly, the media exercises the power of this freedom---the power to ensconce truths that can uplift the citizenry from ill-treatment and disorientation. However, this is not an easy thing to manage. Media has to pass through several setbacks. Come to think of this: if Superman has kryptonite as his drawback, media has libel as its counterpart.

              We can't negate that libel has been tough to media, particularly to the print ones. According to Malou Mangahas, executive director of the Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism, libel has been a tool of the powerful, typically the politicians. She also stressed that it is an anathema to democracy. Thus, the Congress has proposed measures decriminalizing libel. Senator Ralph Recto has filed Senate Bill 2146 to delist libel from the book of crimes. Senate Bill 2146 seeks to repeal Articles 353, 354, 355, 356, 357, 360, 361 and 362 of the Revised Penal Code and Section 4 (c) 4 of R.A. 10175 or the Cybercrime Law.

             With this proposition, journalists' doubts would be eradicated; and from there is a domino effect. There will be a firm print media to constantly provide a mechanism that fosters transparency over the operations of government. Also, the corrupt officials would doublethink to do any malefaction since the access of public information by the journalists is reinforced. Filipinos will likewise have the guts to meddle on issues needing full attention. As closely analyzed, freedom of expression is guaranteed if this bill would be passed into law. 

  In spite of everything, there should be presence of demarcations. To do that, journalists have to go back to the rudiment---the Journalists' Code of Ethics. The code provides that "a journalist shall refrain from writing reports which will adversely affect a private reputation unless the public interests justify it." For what reason? It's for them to preserve the dignity of their profession. But behind that, is the people's right to true information and one's dedication to objective reality. Here lies the notion that media shall exercise responsible journalism. To avoid incarceration or any punishment due to libel, one must try to weigh everything written within his article---if it is factual and reliable. Mind you, correct information is one of the easiest ways to a person’s heart. 

   Today that the trend of engaging on open avenues of opinion-sharing is proliferating, both media and concerned citizens will benefit, if libel decriminalization is carried into action. It is a great opportunity, but a great responsibility, as well. It doesn't mean that one can just throw any opinion he wants to throw. There must be thorough reflection. 

              For what makes up the substance of life is that we know when and how to draw the line.