With all the controversies being hurled left and right about the recently held Philippine Blog Awards 2007, the Pinoy blogosphere had just become a hundred times more interesting than it was before. One particular raging issue being discussed is whether blogging is a privilege or a right. Let me say this. Blogging is a way of expressing freedom of speech. We are all born to express whatever it is that’s on our minds. I have that right, and I chose blogging. Abe Olandres puts it quite clearly:
Yes, blogging is a privilege. It is not for everybody. It is only for those who have internet access. It is only for those who have enough time on their hands. It is only for those who have something to write or say.
I too believe that blogging is a privilege. I know it seems a bit elitist, but come on guys. Get real. Not everyone can be a blogger just like not everyone can be a talk show host or a radio announcer. If I feel that talking on television is my way of being heard, then screw me for not having enough resources to run my own station complete with high-tech video cameras, set designers and cameramen. Screw the government for not making that a right for every Filipino citizen!
The Philippines is not a wealthy country. I know it takes only a computer and a decent Internet connection to be able to blog. But we are that poor that it takes an arm and a leg for the majority just to afford one meal a day. So if you uber-idealists demand that blogging be a right, how the hell are you going to tell that to their faces? How are you going to tell them to lay down their sacks and spend a few minutes at the local Internet cafe just to blog? Don’t get me wrong. I’m all for the rights of every Filipino when it comes to freedom of speech. But to consider all of us blogging away is absolutely preposterous. That is why we have bloggers who have the biggest voices on the Internet. And we have leaders in other forms of media who guide our opinions. You have the right to agree with them, and you have the right to disagree with them. That’s what the comment fields and text numbers are there for.
I agree. Freedom of speech is a right and blogging is a form of that speech. However as you stated, not every one can be a blogger even if they wanted to because of the financial aspects. Others can rent a pc in an internet cafe and create a free account in Blogger.com or WordPress.com and become a blogger but the majority of Filipinos can’t do that because they’re worrying about what to eat for the next meal.
Blogging is a privilege for those who can afford it. Period. The rest would have to find different means to voice out their opinions.