Month: April 2023

There Must Be Privacy Laws Delimiting the Use of Social Media

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It is all about keeping order and integrity.

*opinion shared from the POV of a media practitioner

written by Anna Liza VB

If there is Freedom of Expression and Freedom of Access to Information–with the first right, recognized as indomitable to a free nation; and the latter to ensure transparency among public servants and government transactions; there is also a nuance founded in legality, that can be explored to preserve responsible media work and ensure continued freedom of the press that’s founded on respect for privacy.

With the easy media streaming feature of gadgets today; the proliferation of vlogs that encourage personal share upload/s even for non-public officials and celebrities; and a hunger for social media engagement, come a pressing need to update privacy laws in the country.

A privacy law that would ensure that personal space and home privacy are not violated for the sake of popularity, or to propagate an exploitative “ICYMO” mentality among the young.

The abundance of sites that grow viral stories about private individuals, show no hilt and has long gone outside acceptable social limits that honor respect and courtesy– almost to a point of espousing “junkyard” news, and features.

Or stories that are loaded on human interest angle but tend to dehumanize real people’s feelings and sensitivities; make trivial of what is supposed to be genuine conversations and interactions; and purvey a lack of consideration for neutrality or esteem for a middle-ground of ideas and opinion.

In a country that hyper bloats its love for the freedom of the press, now the value of the hardworking press, has been pushed to the bottom gears; while the ordinary servers of media have been shoved to a “calculating” numbers game for high likers and followers that ensure views.

Whereas before it is the “trained” press that yielded such practice, now the privilege has been democratized for the enjoyment of ordinary netizens. Or vloggers and influencers who may not necessarily have the right education or the right focus to pursue “ethical” news media or even entertainment media work that demands agility of “opinion balancing” and a capacity to look at all ideas, not only to generate a clickthrough or gain additional follows but to avoid sensationalism as well.

Social media these days are overvalued. Its popularity is rooted in satisfying people’s emotional need for attention; to be popular or to gain that “privileged access” to “super media” that can make way for elusive work and attainment of personal goals and ambition.

Such exercise of power by non-media trained people, can stunt the integrity and affect the privacy of individuals who may value their time away from the camera work of social media fans and consumers.

THUS, WE NEED TO RETHINK WHAT VALUES WE HOLD ENOUGH TO DEFY THE PRIVACY OF THE HOME AND OF PRIVATE INDIVIDUALS.

In our yearning to work or express our truths, SOCIAL MEDIA must still respect the privacy of OTHERS if we want to keep our peace even IF WE THINK IT IS NOT WELL-DESERVED OR EARNED.

Disclaimer: This is an opinion piece, and not “paid content” of a specific individual, group, or advertiser. Thank you.

Please keep on reading Fated to Write by Anna.

Copyright 2023 Philippines

No part of this blog may be downloaded, copied, or shared whether in print or electronically without this writer’s expressed permission.

One response to “There Must Be Privacy Laws Delimiting the Use of Social Media”

  1. How to Lose Friends On Social Media – Fated To Write by Anna

    […] before you continue reading this post, you might want to read my latest post on: There Must Be Privacy Laws Delimiting the Use of Social Media. Or please go over the rest of my tips on, “3 Easy Ways to Lose Friends On Social […]

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Fated To Write by Anna

a mom's writing haven which tackles many contemporary issues, and shares some great tips on freelance and creative writing and more.

What Is The Middle-Age Sunset?

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Your choices define you. So is your country.

an article by Anna Liza VB

Anna Liza VB is a former full-time media practitioner. She is a professional writer and a hobbyist. Most of her topics are written from an amalgam of creative, factual, and experiential POV and interest-based niche that includes lifestyle, media practice, events, etc.

If you’re in your middle age, the forties, where do you expect to be at? In the Philippines, middle age is a ripe age for one to have reared children, engaged in a profession, have settled, and would have been successful already in business. But these are stereotypes often expected from women.

These may not always ring true for many.

As I moved into a new city, all I wanted was a new city that can bring solitude.

Having lived in Manila since birth has always been a peaceful delve into life. Whatever dreams you have, everything is possible.

The capital of my country was not perfect in all aspects- from peace and order to job opportunities to places to stay for home and recreation. But nevertheless, Manila is a city that embraces its own and others in equal opportunities.

When I moved out to be in Las Pinas, everything changed. It is a city of sunken glum retreats. Where old and long-time residents and homeowners are always on their toes. Watchful of the new ones. Simply put, it does not trust newcomers and foreigners to its city by the coast. It is a city but it is not a welcoming city, even if it tries to be.

IT IS AN UPSCALE CITY. BUT IT IS TOTALLY HOMOGENEOUS. PRIVY TO ITS OWN BUT NOT TO OUTSIDERS.

Unlike other tourist and immigrant-friendly cities, Las Pinas is quaint but not friendly. It is rich in single proprietorship businesses that hark on their own network of neighbors. It favors their own familiar circle. At times, conversational courtesy is lacking in simple businesses. Most businesses are run by families and individuals that are ethnocentric and bias driven.

There are not much of good neighbors you can rely on for assistance in case of important situations. And residents are left to fend for their own when it comes to crucial important sector services. The delivery of services from the local government when it concerns notices, advisories, and policies are somehow posted on social media. However, these can be partially partisan, personal, or even loaded with fake or distorted information.

THE COST OF LIVING IS EXPENSIVE

To live in the city is financially unrewarding. Food and commodities are expensive even if commercial establishments are highly-accessible. Businesses are owned mostly by the privileged few and the “can afford” close their doors often to non-residents when it concerns business opportunities.

This is the real scenario. But these are not a bother to its own residents because they can afford them.

NOW HOW DOES MIDDLE-AGED SUNSET HAPPEN WHEN YOU’RE A WOMAN

The middle-aged sunset is an age when one watches everyone on the sideline, with stolid hope because change is none.

After marriage, women in their forties would have settled in the Philippines without the promise of work or financial stability. Middle-income families that depend on employment would have to choose to be double-income or single-income families. But since the pandemic, these choices are no longer available as job opportunities are stale and non-existent.

Most women invariably face the day waiting for opportunities that do not materialize. Thus they are mostly dependent on their relatives to help financially.

The fact is, in my country, opportunities are lost in the old. No one wants to employ the old, the struggling, and the jobless. Employment is often available to fresh grads and this is made clear in job ads, by recruitment personnel and hiring agencies.

How many times I have encountered interviews by Human Resources Personnel who evoke a stifled, baffled approach to hiring middle-aged women. A good number inquire about economic background indirectly and imply a preference for young applicants. And that’s just the tip of the iceberg.

HR reps can also proceed on a vented truth that puts a company they’re hiring for in a bad light, by telling a would-be applicant that employee benefits are not at all encouraging.

This is a dismal truth, that aside from the lack of available opportunities for older women, the bias on the employer side and the grapevine, preempts the employment process as well.

Work seems to be a long distant hope for the middle-aged. It was true when I was in my twenties. Sadly, it is true now that I am in my forties.

There is peace in being unemployed when one finds a city settled in opportunities. But how can one forego dreams when peace is fraught? A quiet city may not necessarily speak peace but a lack of it.

THE MIDDLE-AGE SUNSET HAPPENS to women in their forties when able women who have relegated themselves to the backseat of obligation and housework are trounced by fellow women; in a city where there is no welcoming a newcomer but its own. It is a middle age of unrequited dreams that never talks about hope, dreams, and work.

Thank you for reading Fated to Write by Anna.

Please read my other posts.

Anna