Opportunity and Challenges of

Media and Information

Prepared by:
Group 7 and 8 (STEM 2)
Influences and Power of Media
• Economy
- is an area of the production, distribution, or trade, and
consumption of goods and services by different agents.
- more companies are now putting up websites to get more
clients
- BPO companies, responsible for providing technical
support, customer service agents and etc.
- Different media platforms also allow government agencies
to improve their services.
- DOT and DA can inform the public about their programs,
new policies, and announcements, with the use of internet.
• Education
- the action or process of teaching someone especially in a school,
college, or university.
- there are different ways on how teachers can use modern
technology in presenting their lessons to students.
- the following are some examples of modern visual aids that can
be used by lectures all over the world.
An example of visual aid is the pocket chart, which teachers always use
when discussing lessons to students.
There are also educational toys, these objects also help students
learn faster as they get to apply the concepts learned in the classroom
while they operate these items.
Apart from educational toys, educational compact discs (CDs) and
digital versatile discs (DVDs) also provide powerful means to educate
the students with interactive lessons, and allow the to watch films and
documentaries.
Society
• Mass media, may it be in print, broadcast, or the internet, it
become very powerful tools in influencing people’s perception on
certain things like beauty.
• many people tend to base their perception of beauty on a person’s
physical looks instead of his talents and intrinsic qualities.
• most people have the hobby of watching TV programs, the things
they regularly see have somehow influenced their values and
behaviors.
• For ex, teenagers might believe that engaging in a serious romantic
relationship and neglecting their studies are agreeable because
teenage love is usually portrayed in most dramas on TV.
• Media is a very powerful means to send and receive messages, the
people must be more careful in choosing the kind of media to
patronize, so that their values and standards will not be
compromised.
Politics
• The power of media and information is strong and wide enough to
reach all people from different fields.
• citizens who have internet connection can easily have access to the
latest local and national news.
• As information has become easily accessible using the internet
• The profiles and other intimate personal details about a public
servant or a political leader can be easily leaked and shared online.
• In the past, when people wanted to express their dismay over a
political or social issue, they had to wait for months for it to be
dissolved.
• with the media’s power and influence, they are now able to voice
out their complains and get immediate attention, public support,
and help.
THREATS AND RISKS FROM THE ABUSE AND
MISUSE OF MEDIA AND INFORMATION
• The Article III of the 1987 Philippine
Constitution is about the Bill of Rights.

• Section 4 states that, “No law shall be

passed abridging the freedom of speech, of
expression, or of the press, or of the right
of the people peaceably to assemble and
petition the government for redress of
grievances.”
THREATS AND RISKS FROM THE ABUSE AND
MISUSE OF MEDIA AND INFORMATION
• As a democratic country, all citizens are
entitled to freedom of expression and the
state ought to protect that constitutional
right.

• Due to this, we are free to express our

ideas and beliefs through writing,
speaking, or demonstration without any
fear of being sued.
THREATS AND RISKS FROM THE ABUSE AND
MISUSE OF MEDIA AND INFORMATION
• Despite of this we should never abuse and
misuse our freedom of speech.

• Freedom of expression and freedom of

information are closely intertwined and
the fundamental rights of people.
Based on the Article 19 (2) of the
International Covenant on Civil Political
Rights:
• Everyone has the right to freedom of
opinion and expression. This right
includes freedom to hold opinions without
interference and to seek, receive and
impart information and ideas of all kinds,
regardless of frontiers, either orally, in
writing or in print, in the form of art or
through any other media of his choice.
The following are some laws
against the abuse and misuse of
media and information, which
violate the rights of others and
threaten them in some way.
Libel
• A legal term that refers to the making of false
and malicious statements about a person in
some type of print or writing. This can include
false and malicious statements made in writing,
printed on signs, or published on a public forum.
Publishing defamatory statements or pictures
through the media is also considered libel.
Libel
• One form of defamation, which is the damaging
of someone’s good reputation or character.
When someone makes a disparaging or
derogatory statement about someone in print, or
through signs or pictures, it is considered to be
libel, which is against the law. In order to be
considered libel, a statement must be untrue, as
everyone has a right to speak truth about other
people.
Example of Libel vs. Slander:
• Mary tells her co-workers that Brad, another co-
worker, got drunk at a corporate meeting out of
town, and was asked to leave. The statements
made their way back to the company president,
who fired Brad for unprofessional behavior.
Brad claims the statements were not true, and
files a civil lawsuit against Mary for defamation
of character, which caused him to lose his job.
Example of Libel vs. Slander:
• In court, Mary denies making any untrue statements
to anyone, and Brad is unable to find even a single
person who is willing to testify to Mary telling them
anything about Brad or his behavior. Lacking proof
that Mary slandered him, Brad cannot win his case.

• If, on the other hand, Mary had sent out an email

with her claims, and had Brad been able to obtain
even one copy of that email, Mary might be on the
hook for libel. The same would be the case had she
published the statements on Twitter or Facebook.
This assumes, however, that Brad can prove the
statements were actually false.
Libel
• A person commits libel if he publishes in public, either
in print or online, anything that is deemed malicious of a
“vice or defect, real or imaginary or any act, omission,
condition, status, or circumstance tending to cause the
dishonor, discredit, or contempt of a natural or juridical
person, or to blacken the memory of one who is dead.”

• In the Philippine Constitution, libel is a violation of

article 355 of the Revised Penal Code.
Would a person be accused of libel if he posted an
angry comment about a heavy traffic on social
media?
• According to the Doctrine of Fair Comment,
a citizen is entitled to express his views and
opinions on public affairs.

• The journalist’s commentary would not be

considered libelous if the comment is about the
work and not directed to a specific person whose
reputation can be damaged because of a certain
post.
Slander
• A legal term that refers to a false, oral statement
about an individual that harms his reputation or
standing within the community. Slander is not a
crime, but a civil wrong that is subject to being
held responsible in a civil lawsuit. Statements
made about a person must be factual, or they
must express the legitimate opinion of the
speaker. Statements that are made in anger or
malice, which are untrue, are commonly viewed
as slander.
Slander
• Another form of defaming someone’s character.
Defamation of character is the intentional
making of statements, or publishing information
or pictures, for the purpose of harming another
person’s reputation. Slander is a defamatory
statement that is spoken, rather than published
in writing or art. In order to qualify as slander in
a legal action, the statement must be false and
maliciously made. In most cases, the statement
must have been presented as fact, rather than
the speaker’s opinion.
Examples of Slander:
• Claiming a person is gay, lesbian, or bisexual,
when it is untrue, in an attempt to harm his or
her reputation

• Telling someone that a certain person cheated

on his taxes, or committed tax fraud

• Saying that a certain person had an affair with a

supervisor or manager in order to receive a
promotion (this may be considered slander
against two people)
Examples of Slander:
• Telling co-workers a made-up, or unverified
story about a certain person stealing from petty
cash

• Claiming that a certain person has a sexually

transmitted disease
Libel and slander laws also
constitute policies against
misquotation and mislabeling
Misquotation
• It refers to quoting someone for having said something, but
without using the exact words spoken.
• It can also mean quoting someone for something he did not
say.
• When a person is quoted, it means that he stated the exact
words in front of the interviewer.
• Sometimes, it takes place if the one transcribing the
interview did not write down the words uttered verbatim
or word-per-word.
• A person who commits misquotation can either be charged
with libel under Article 355 of the Revised Penal Code, or
slander under Article 358 of the Revised Penal Code.
Mislabeling
• Mislabeling a person or organization can be considered
misleading, hurtful, and damaging.
• A person guilty of mislabeling violates one’s honor under
Title 13 Crime Against Honor of the Revised Penal Code.
• For example, an old actress labeled as a “falling star” in a
celebrity magazine could be offensive to the actress. Even if
it is just opinion, it could affect the actress’ reputation.
• Mislabeling, if done in writing, is a form of libel and is
slanderous if it is expressed verbally.
• A person accused of mislabeling will be judged according to
Article 353 of the Revised Penal Code under the definition
of libel as it causes dishonor or discredit to one’s
reputation.
Obscenity
• A legal term that refers to anything that offends
a person’s morals. This may be doing something
that is indecent, lewd, or obscene. Obscenity is
commonly used in reference to pornography,
though it pertains to much more. The courts
have found determining just what qualifies as
obscenity, as it is subject to each individual
person’s moral values. The term often applies to
erotic content in books, magazines, and films, as
well as nude dancing.
Anti-Obscenity Law
• According to Article 201 of the Revised Penal Code, a
material would be a violation to the anti-obscenity law if
it includes immoral doctrines, obscene publication or
exhibitions, and indecent shows.
• Materials that have content glorifying criminals:
- promotes violence
- lust
- photography
- offends a race or religion
- promotes the use of prohibited drugs
- encourages acts contrary to law
- and many more.
Would a poster from DOH showing a mother
breastfeeding her baby a violation of the anti-
obscenity law?
• The poster is an information awareness
campaign and not intended for lust or
pornography.

• Therefore, it does not violate the anti-obscenity

law.
Example of Obscenity involving a minor:
• John possess several pornography magazines.
Simply possessing the magazines is not a crime.
However, John shares those magazines with the
neighbor’s 14-year old son and his friends. This act
is clearly against the law, and in many states it may
be charged as either a misdemeanor or a felony,
depending on the exact circumstances.
• In this example of obscenity involving a minor, there
is a good chance John would be convicted of a felony
offense. In addition to any probation or prison time
he may receive, he would be required to register as a
sex offender for the rest of his life.
Sedition
• Pertains to subversive acts, such as rebellion and insurrection,
which incite people to go against the government and resist its
lawful authority and jurisdiction.
• According to Article 138 of the revised penal code,
• Any person who is found to be inciting a rebellion shall be penalized
because this will endanger the security, safety, and stability of the
state.
• During the American Period in the Philippines,
• The sedition act of 1901 was first passed.
• The people who were charged with sedition at that time were
arrested and imprisoned, exiled, or executed.
Contempt of Court
• It refers to the disobedience to the court where a person exhibited
acts opposing the court’s authority, justice, and dignity.
• For ex, if a newspaper reports that the Supreme Court is biased and
incompetent in giving its final verdict for a celebrated case,
• Its writer and publisher could get contempt from court.
Piracy
• Piracy is considered illegal under the Philippine law.
• Piracy is the unauthorized distribution and reproduction of a
copyrighted material
• It is also a violation of the Anti-Camcording Act of 2010 or Republic
Act of 10888.
• Just like plagiarism, piracy is a form of stealing because it robs the
producers and artists of the compensation that they deserve based
on the sales of their product.
• Although pirated CDs can be sold in a cheap price, its quality cannot
be guaranteed.
• Downloading music and sharing movie copies online are also forms
of piracy.
• Although downloading for free is not a big deal, the user’s computer
can be vulnerable to virus once the material has been downloaded.