On NSM Regulation

During the time of the typhoon’s wrath, many Filipinos ‘living’ online utilized new social media to stage a bayanihan. Not only was new social media used for this, but it also served as a venue to defend the Filipinos from those who were allegedly insensitive to the Pinoys’ state.

One example is Jacque Bermejo, who allegedly said that the Filipinos deserve what happened to them.

Jacque Bermejo's alleged Facebook status

Another is a Korean woman who allegedly posted something on her Twitter page that also mocked the Filipinos.

The Korean's alleged tweet

Newsfeeds in Facebook was also flooded by a picture of a man, said to be Rep. Juan Miguel “Mikey” Arroyo (yes, the son of the president), who was buying expensive liquor in a supermarket while the Metro was being hit by the typhoon ‘Ondoy.’ The photo, later on, was removed from the newsfeeds – I don’t know why. Mikey Arroyo has already issued his statement regarding the issue.

Man who is said to be Mikey Arroyo

But this issue on Mikey Arroyo has now led to another issue that concerns us NSM users, i.e. the regulation of the use of new social media.

Ask yourself this: What will happen if there will be restrictions on the use of new social media, particularly social networking sites like Facebook?

After the liquor-buying issue, Rep. Arroyo had actually supported proposals in the House of Representatives to regulate postings in SNS. To read more on the issue click on these:

Regulating Facebook ‘Talibanic’

‘Facebook’ debate erupts between Mikey, Hontiveros

I don’t want to sound political or Sp133-ish here, but if the use of SNS will be regulated, wouldn’t it suppress the people’s freedom of expression? And who, may I ask, will regulate the use of NSM? Will this also affect our right to privacy?

I say no to this regulation.

This generation, I believe, values its freedom to express what they want – and this is usually done through Facebook, Twitter, etc. Though, of course, there are other ways for us to speak our minds, we must admit that new social media has been, probably, the no. 1 venue for us to vent our frustrations and rants, to express our happiness and gratitude, or what have you.

But I think that we must not forget our responsibility in using this technology that was bestowed to us. We must not abuse our use of NSM and make sure that we think before we post.