I stumbled upon an article by Nick on PinoyDreamer.com titled “Philippine Politics in the Blogosphere? What do you think?” that talks about a particular blog called Gloria-Resign.net in which, from the name itself, is a blog against Pres. Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.

Nick says that such a blog with a political agenda should stay out of the blogosphere due to the reason that it paints a negative picture of the Philippines.

"In my own point of view, these kinds of blogs may give negative impressions about our country and should stay out of the blogosphere. Freedom of expression alright! But isn’t it getting too far? Getting too far in places it shouldn’t? I’m just worried about the impact it may bring to our country, and of course to us, Filipinos."

"What I’m trying to say here is that everything has its own place, and I believe it should stay out of the ground of the blogosphere."

You can read the whole article here.

Blogs are a very powerful tool that allows people to easily express their ideas to a wide audience and the blogger/s behind Gloria-Resign.net knows this. Instead of rallying and shouting on the streets, they chose to bring their protest on the internet where every word is more audible.

So what if it paints a negative picture of the Philippines? What right do we have to stop other people from voicing their opinions? We have the right to express anything on our own blogs, but why not them?

Although I agree that there are limits to the freedom of self-expression, I can’t seem to see Gloria-Resign.net crossing any lines. Even before the blog appeared, the image of the Philippines has already been tainted thanks to the coverage of TV stations and newspapers both offline and online. What more negative impressions can the blog impose on other people when it is just an echo of what’s happening in the Philippines?

Whatever their blog’s agenda is, may it be right or wrong, we have no right to tell them what to blog and what not to. I know that some are just concerned about the welfare of the country and I respect that. But if I were to choose between fighting for the image of my country or for the right to express myself, I’d go with the latter.

We must always remember that blogs are all about Freedom of self-expression. And it will never change even for those ideals and opinions that are different from the majority.

Just another one of my thoughts. Happy blogging!

P.S. No… I’m no Anti-Gloria. I just value a blogger’s rights for freedom of self-expression.

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