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.