I know we’ve all heard a lot of reactions about this issue but if you could find time to read my post and write a comment, I would really appreciate it.

Cheers,
Lester

Btw, I”m confused. Coz from what I know, you suggested the writing project in Tingog.com not Tinig.com right? Those are two different sites.

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This unity has probably made bloggers feel superiour and impervious. some probably thought the more hateful the posts are the “cooler” they are.

It’s but right to criticize and vilify her, but to resort to below the belt attacks on her appearance- why stoop so low?

There are so many other political issues far deserving of our time. Like approaching the OFW issue and the deeper problems they underlie. Or looking at this incident in a deeper way.
and no I won’t be the first to start posting about this in a deeper way because I don’t have the time and I know so many other intelligent bloggers can do a better job- if they’ll try.

that said the unity shown by the bloggers is also amazing, and I applaud them for reacting to issue- ANY ISSUE AT ALL for that matter. Poli is right- better than at least being mum about it.

thank you so much for you time. god bless!

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1. Who introduced you to podcasting? How did you discover podcasting?
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Medyo natawa ako kasi medyo nahirapan si Che-Che na umisip ng euphemism para sa salitang “mataba.” Naniniwala ako na malaki talaga ang naging bahagi ng pagiging mataba ni Malu sa mga reaksyon ng mga bloggers. Pero may punto si Josel na kahit ano pa man ang hitsura ni Malu, e makakahanap at makakahanap pa rin tayo ng bagay na pwede nating gamitin laban sa kanya.

Sa aking palagay, e mas nagiging malakas ang loob ng tao kapag nagpopost ng opinyon sa internet dahil palagay ang loob niya na hindi siya matutunton. At dahil nakita ng ibang bloggers na maraming nagagalit at gumagawa ng mga hate post laban kay Malu, e lalo silang naging kampante na gumawa rin ng sarili nilang mga hate post.

Tama, medyo naging pangit ang tira ng mga bloggers. Pero mas mabuti na rin siguro ang ganuon kaysa magpatay malisya tayo.

Sa dulo, lahat tayo ay naging si Malu Fernandez. Kahit ako e guilty dito.

Kainis yung title ng episode, ha? At akala nila ang Tingog.com ay Tinig.com. At mukhang di nga familiar sa culture sa Internet yung iba sa kanila. Buti na lang, naroon si Ricky C.

@Jeff: Alam ko yata yung other station, hehe. :p

@sparks: Nagulat din ako na naroon siya. :p

Tapos na si Malu Fernandez, si Joey vs Willie nanaman! para masaya! hehehe

But to answer your questions:

#1. I’d say some reacted fair to it while others went overboard. I said fair for those who reacted violently INITIALLY and for those who had more restraint. I would have understood those who made the more crude remarks at initial impact upon reading the article. But this issue has gone on for days. That would have been enough time to ponder about what we really think about the issue, think of what went wrong, and what could be done about it.

(To Shari: Yeah, it is understandable that people made some knee-jerk reactions to the issue. But people are expected to be rational because they are human beings. But obviously, some just choose to be parrots.)

What irked me most were the calls for violently harming her if they see her in person (and it is obvious from the tone of writing that they didn’t write this in jest). The question of these people’s capacity of committing such an act or if these are merely fantasies written out is already irrelevant. The idea that they want to physically harm that person and implying that they’d do so if given the chance, even if it will not make them criminally liable, is already disturbing. So, yes I think some did act so harshly and very much out of line. I like what Lorraine said about acting like human beings both online and offline. There shouldn’t be censorship in the internet BUT since we are human beings, we should still act accordingly, as what is expected of mature, responsible adults. I have to question the use of her term “compassion” though.

#2. I’m not much about moderating comments in blogs. Personally, I don’t delete comments. I’d let them rant if they want, but I do believe I retain the right to tell them to go if I find their comments offensive and annoying. If still they’re persistent and arrogant enough to disregard my notice, then I have the option to close the comments section.

This happened to my blog, specifically on the issue of Malu Fernandez. I told the commenters to refrain from being irrational and be more sensible. But somebody even arrogantly said that since the internet is free so he/she is also free to leave her comments in my blog, whether I like it or not. Now, that’s bullying. I told her that even if the internet is free, commenting on my blog is a privilege granted to him/her by me because I own the blog and I pay for my domain. If he/she wants to rant, then go to the numerous blogs that cater to those kind of rantings.

I think we should prioritize freedom of expression. It’s just that some people do not fully grasp the concept of freedom of expression. They mistake it for “absolute freedom”, which is actually non-existent.

#3. Yes. As I often say, those who leave the most scathing comments are often those who do not leave traces of their identities. Someone commented in a blog I read that, “why would anyone be stupid enough to leave their identity online, knowing the repercussions?” Well, there, he said it. It’s about fear of being identified and associated with what has been said. Some people just don’t have the courage to bear responsibility for what they say and do online. So, yes, anonymity may decrease inhibitions in people, which could be both good and bad, depending upon how the person wields it.

Hmm… I guess I have to go home early to catch that show.