Nobel Prize laureate Maria Reesa on Wednesday, January 12 said the idea of making online platforms as publishers is something that she has thought about.
The Reesa statement was given during a hybrid public hearing by the Senate Committee on Constitutional Amendments and Revision of Codes chaired by opposition Senator Francis ‘’Kiko’’ Pangilinan to review the country’s criminal laws amid the rise of social media platforms and the rapid advancement of technology.
During the hearing, Senate Minority Leader Franklin M. Drilon asked Ressa if there is a need to consider online platforms as publishers so that they would incur the same liability as publishers in print media or in television.
“Don’t get me wrong. Yes, we should defend the freedom of speech but as in any freedom there must be responsibility and in the situation that we are today because online platforms are not considered as publishers, everybody could just take on the platform and libel everyone, that’s the problem,” Drilon said.
He cited a recent committee recommendation of former Supreme Court Associate Justice Antonio Carpio that online platforms should disclose their identities.
Pangilinan said the goal of the third hearing is to expose the disinformation ecosystem and find solutions whether legislative, executive or a combination of both, as well as private sector participation.
“We want to know how to stop this 'infodemic' through laws. We must have laws that are up to date, responsive to the needs of the times, fool-proof as best as it can be, against the ingenious minds of criminals,’’ he said.