(thread) On the harassment of UE Dawn editor-in-chief Joshua Molo:
Anyone can file for libel if he or she feels a person has falsely and maliciously attacked personal reputation. But the barangay’s response to the complaint went way beyond the bounds of this particular dispute.
Anyone can file for libel if he or she feels a person has falsely and maliciously attacked personal reputation. But the barangay’s response to the complaint went way beyond the bounds of this particular dispute.
Village officials of San Fernando Sur, in Cabiao, Nueva Ejica summoned 20-year old Molo, on Sunday, April 5,
Karapatan paralegal @thejoncallueng, who is handling the case, said the summons came after a former high school teacher filed a blotter accusing Molo of cyber-libel.
Karapatan paralegal @thejoncallueng, who is handling the case, said the summons came after a former high school teacher filed a blotter accusing Molo of cyber-libel.
Calueng said the complaint stemmed from Molo's Instagram post, expressing dismay over former mentors’ harsh reactions when he criticized the government response to social welfare needs amid the novel coronavirus lockdown.
Calueng said village officials gave the young journalist two options: “to voluntary sign a waiver that he will not post any anti-government sentiment again and issue a public apology, or face arrest and detention.”
Under the circumstances, “voluntary” hardly applies.
Under the circumstances, “voluntary” hardly applies.
The demand that he stop perceived anti-government posts shows the threat of cyber-libel used in the service of censorship.
Molo, whose ma is a barangay tanod, apparently felt he had no choice.
“He opted to waive his right to free speech and issued a public apology,” said Calueng.
Molo, whose ma is a barangay tanod, apparently felt he had no choice.
“He opted to waive his right to free speech and issued a public apology,” said Calueng.
Strangely, Molo was later asked to hide (make private) the apology.
This was after it was inundated by angry citizens pointing out that a) no law exists penalizing critical comments aimed at perceived government neglect; and b) there was nothing libelous in the offending post.
This was after it was inundated by angry citizens pointing out that a) no law exists penalizing critical comments aimed at perceived government neglect; and b) there was nothing libelous in the offending post.
Molo’s offending post was hardly libelous.
“Some of my former HS and elem teachers said I should listen to them" (acknowledge government’s efforts and just follow them) Di na yata nila ako kilala. Or they are just privileged enough not to see what other people are experiencing."
“Some of my former HS and elem teachers said I should listen to them" (acknowledge government’s efforts and just follow them) Di na yata nila ako kilala. Or they are just privileged enough not to see what other people are experiencing."
"Sabagay puno naman yung refs nila at may sweldo sila despite the pandemic.”
That’s pretty tame by current social media standards. He wasn’t accusing teachers of being paid to censor. He was just musing on what makes people allergic towards criticism on government affairs.
That’s pretty tame by current social media standards. He wasn’t accusing teachers of being paid to censor. He was just musing on what makes people allergic towards criticism on government affairs.
“I know what I am saying. The more I read every day, the more I see there is something wrong, and I am directly affected by it.”
He later shared a screencap of his teachers’ reactions to his post and chided hem for selective comprehension.
He later shared a screencap of his teachers’ reactions to his post and chided hem for selective comprehension.
A high school student tangling on FB with teachers could arguably get in trouble with conservative school heads.
Molo is grown-up, an editor at one of the country’s biggest schools. He wasn’t trolling his former teachers. They confronted him on his Facebook account.
Molo is grown-up, an editor at one of the country’s biggest schools. He wasn’t trolling his former teachers. They confronted him on his Facebook account.
Barangays have powers to mediate problems. But officials were wrong in coercing submission on issues way beyond the specific complaint.
Threatening Molo with arrest on grounds of anti-government sentiment is a violation of his constitutional right to free expression.
Threatening Molo with arrest on grounds of anti-government sentiment is a violation of his constitutional right to free expression.
Glad that after a harrowing day, Molo still a fighter
