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PNoy signs new cyber law, media groups criticize

THE PHILIPPINES, SEPTEMBER 19, 2012 – President Aquino recently signed a bill combating cybercrime, prohibiting everything from plagiarism to child pornography.
 
The Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012 (RA No. 10175) lists illegal access, cyber-squatting, identity theft, cybersex and libel among offenses that could be punishable by fines up to imprisonment. 
 
The Center for Media Freedom and Responsibility believes the new law can be used to intimidate journalists, bloggers and basically anybody who shares their opinion through online social communities. The National Union of Journalists of the Philippines said the move is “sneaky and [it] betrays this administration’s commitment to transparency and freedom of expression”.
 
According to Senate records, Senator Tito Sotto inserted the clause on libel at the last minute, something many believe was in light of the “cyber bullying” he experienced over the last few weeks. 
 
Twitter was abuzz with comments on the law against #cybercrime. Some believe it inhibits freedom of expression. User @jabjimenez tweeted: “The problem with the #cybercrime law is that it can be used for harassment no matter how well you write.” 
 
Noemi Lardizabal-Dado, popularly known as @momblogger, is a bit more neutral, saying: “Any law, to be effective, must have some teeth. Up to..vigilant citizenry to make sure that these teeth do not turn into fangs.”
 
On the other side of the fence are businesses upholding investor confidence. Business Processing Association of the Philippines president Benedict Hernandez believes that IT-BPO firms will benefit from the cyber law. 
 

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