On the 'unnecessary' cybercrime law
By Bernadette Nicolas
Is the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012 or the Republic Act 10175 really needed? Why is the government eager to immediately implement this law? Is it because of their underlying concerns or their motives?
Before the Cybercrime Law drew attention, the Reproductive Health (RH) Bill was the one getting both flak and support from different religious groups especially Catholics. This leads me to think that these two policies are connected with each other. Since the RH bill became controversial, it became very hard for the lawmakers of the said bill to push it. Jeers and cheers have been greeting it until now.
The issue on cybercrime law somewhat masked the noise the RH bill brought. Is it the tactic of the government in order to silence the people reacting against it? Or are they concerned of people being victimized by cyber bullying and online libel?
Personally, I find the cybercrime law as a form of suppressing one’s freedom of expression. Isn’t it disturbing that the government would block your comments or your posts by simply being critical of their actions?
Whatever the government’s reason is, may the lawmakers realize that every policy they agreed to pass is vital to the development of the nation and the future generation. Successful laws play a major part in governing the citizens properly. It is the backbone of any country. Identifying and addressing the problems is the first step before passing a law. The most important problems should be first addressed. Second, the necessity of the law should also be questioned. Each law should be thoroughly screened and deliberated on. Lawmakers must first think of the welfare of the people they are serving and not just for self-gratification. Citizens, in turn, must also be critical and smart enough to know their rights and responsibilities.
Is the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012 or the Republic Act 10175 really needed? Why is the government eager to immediately implement this law? Is it because of their underlying concerns or their motives?
Before the Cybercrime Law drew attention, the Reproductive Health (RH) Bill was the one getting both flak and support from different religious groups especially Catholics. This leads me to think that these two policies are connected with each other. Since the RH bill became controversial, it became very hard for the lawmakers of the said bill to push it. Jeers and cheers have been greeting it until now.
The issue on cybercrime law somewhat masked the noise the RH bill brought. Is it the tactic of the government in order to silence the people reacting against it? Or are they concerned of people being victimized by cyber bullying and online libel?
Personally, I find the cybercrime law as a form of suppressing one’s freedom of expression. Isn’t it disturbing that the government would block your comments or your posts by simply being critical of their actions?
Whatever the government’s reason is, may the lawmakers realize that every policy they agreed to pass is vital to the development of the nation and the future generation. Successful laws play a major part in governing the citizens properly. It is the backbone of any country. Identifying and addressing the problems is the first step before passing a law. The most important problems should be first addressed. Second, the necessity of the law should also be questioned. Each law should be thoroughly screened and deliberated on. Lawmakers must first think of the welfare of the people they are serving and not just for self-gratification. Citizens, in turn, must also be critical and smart enough to know their rights and responsibilities.