Human Rights Online Philippines

MindaNews » PH under fire for anti-cyber crime law.

By Edwin G. Espejo
September 29, 2012

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (MindaNews/28 September) — More media organizations and a New York-based human rights monitor have joined calls for the immediate repeal of the newly passed Philippine anti-cyber crime law which included internet libel as a criminal offense.

“Cybercrime Prevention Act actually broadens the scope of a libel law so antiquated and draconian that the United Nations Human Rights Council itself declared it excessive and called on the Philippine government to review the law with the end of decriminalizing libel,” said Nestor Burgos,” president of the National Union of Journalists in the Philippines.

The new law, signed by President Benigno Aquino III on September 12, also increased the penalty of internet libel to 6 to 12 years.  Under the Revised Penal Code, libel carries a prison term of not more than six years.  Internet libel is not defined as a criminal act under the said penal code.

In an interview with http://www.rappler.com, University of the Philippines professor Theodore Te said the law “poses real danger” to people who make a living online.

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