Philippines to Require License to Post Content
I’m attending a hearing tomorrow on a proposal by the Philippines’ National Telecommunications Commission that will require licenses for online content developers.
Yes, you read that right. The Philippine government wants to require licenses for people to create and post content online. Under the proposal’s extremely broad definition of a content developer, you would need a license just to comment on this post.
This is the most unenforceable proposal I have ever seen. What are they going to do, require five million Filipino Friendster users to get a license before posting pictures? This proposal clearly comes from the outdated mindset that only corporations can develop content.
It’s a public hearing, so feel free to join me. If nothing else, it’ll be good for a laugh.
Update: It seems a flood of interest in this proposal has brought down the NTC site. For your information, the public hearing’s set for 2pm Thursay GMT+8 at the NTC Executive Conference Room, 3rd Floor, NTC Building, BIR Road, East Triangle, Diliman, Quezon City, Metro Manila, Philippines.
Full proposal on the next page.
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According to this draft, this is a new requirement for PROVIDERS and DEVELOPERS of mobile communications. This DOES NOT affect ordinary internet users. Or, did i just read it wrong?
Here’s how this draft defines content developers:
That means anyone who creates anything.
This only applies for the use of internet mobile applications. PC users are not covered by this.
Then it should explicitly say so. As it is worded right now, it clearly does not.
Regulations should never be vague. That leaves them open to abuse.
Sir Mike, since you are viewing this draft as “OPEN FOR ABUSE”, then here’s what’s even more scary in this memorandum if approved:
“This might create a Martial Law on Cyber Space. Our Government could easily impose or file unreasonable license cases to just anybody who’s primary concerns were to comment on or criticize current public issues.” I admit, I am among social activists who regularly posts my comments on significant and/ or critical issues on the worldwide web, as I’m an active blogger (a freelance Journalist).
It must be recalled that during the Marcos regime, and during Martial Law days in the 70′s, maraming ipinakulong at ipinapatay na mga tumitira sa Gobyerno. Let’s pray na huwag naman sanang mangyari ito sa Internet. Dahil pag nagkataon, mawawalan ng boses ang masa.
Scary, paranoid, or overly exaggerated? Well, that’s only my fictional point of view… But yes, this might happen.
We don’t need this memorandum. What we need is an effective Cyber Law that will limit if not prevent crimes on the Internet.
MANNY DE GUZMAN, JR.
Freelance Journalist
Site Creator – TEENMODELS2007
http://teenmodels2007.wetpaint.com
Site Creator – BABY’S TALK
http://babys-talk.wetpaint.com
I think this only affects those paid content writers. (professionals)
Here’s how this proposal defines content developers:
That means anyone who creates anything, paid or otherwise.
I doubt if this will push through. The government can’t even fight piracy.
and also our country’s gov.can’t fight against cigarette companies and also beer companies that is imported/locally here in the Philippines.
Is this a way to control the web content posting, or just another way to earn money (taxation)?
…If so, will students who will be reviewing/ posting critic on certain materials on the web will be required for this license for their scholarly work? How about common household people who would just be posting comments on Friendster or Multiply, will they be covered? How about those people posting their homemade videos on YouTube?
…Sad to say, this will kill most of our web and Intellectual sharing, for those people who can’t afford to buy their license certificate. And much worse, we cannot use our Copyright privileges, because this memorandum, if approved, will also kill all our Copyright’s Fair Use. Same with some provisions in the Bill of Rights such as Freedom of Speech and Journalism.
…All I can say is, this is another first for Filipinos. Baka gusto lang ng Pilipinas na maging kakaiba. To NTC: If you want us to be different, make it reasonable and worthwhile… Wag puro negosyo. Maging makatao kayo!
MY STAND ON THIS…
…Yes folks, I find this silly. How could the Government control and regulate blogs and content postings on the Internet? Ang laking pera ang mage-generate nito at siguradong yayaman ang gobyerno. Almost a million Filipinos were posting contents on the web daily.
…How about those previous accounts and blogs posted on the web? Ibig sabihin pag hindi nakapag-apply ng license, pwedeng ipa-delete na lang ang Friendster, Multiply, Facebook, or YouTube content? At pumayag naman kaya ang mga web hosting sites na ito na i-delete na lang basta ang mga accounts natin ng walang valid reason? Just remember, most of these web hosting such as YouTube and Multiply are run by International entities. Magiging kahiya-hiya lang tayo kung halimbawa ire-request ng NTC sa YouTube, Friendster, or Multiply ang pag-delete ng accounts dahil walang content license. To them (International website creators), that would simply mean that our Government are just making money out of their sites or out of anybody, Nakakahiya! And besides, most of us are using the web voluntarily, and it’s our own discretion if we disclose our personal and/ or private matters on the web (Let the existing Privacy Law and the Copyright Law take care of those matters if problems would occur).
…There’s no need to apply for any content licenses blah blah blah, gastos lang ‘yan at pagpapahirap sa mga mamamayan. Just enforce a stricter measure or Cyber Law to those who would be committing Electronic/ Cyber crimes, that’s all we ever need.
…Akala ko pinaka malala na ang Copyright Infringement blah blah na ini-impose ng Warner Music Group at Universal Music sa mga YouTube videos na may alleged third party content daw kuno para ipadelete ang mga homemade videos. Mas may lalala pa pala dito, hehe.
Isn’t this a clear abuse of authority? Mmmm… Sana ibasura na lang nila ang memorandum na ito, dahil tiyak makakaapekto ito sa ating lahat – Filipino Community.
…Pag nagkataon wala nang magpo-post ng Informative/ News contents. At kung pagbabayarin ng license ang mga free hosting/ site creators and developers, baka pati pag access natin sa mga educational/ social sites ay magkaroon na din ng bayad. Pag nagkataon, kawawa ang mga estudyanteng gumagamit ng Internet for their research and studies
(
So again, MY STAND ON THIS…
…This draft is WORTHLESS! Ibasura na lang sana ang memorandum na ito…
MANNY DE GUZMAN, JR.
Freelance Journalist
Photographer & Artist
Site Creator – TEENMODELS2007
http://teenmodels2007.wetpaint.com
Site Creator – BABYS TALK
http://babys-talk.wetpaint.com
WEBSITE: http://mannydeguzmanartist.wetpaint.com