A Facebook page called, “Christopher Lao (ang bobong sinugod ang kotse sa baha)” has over 64,000 likes as of this writing and counting laden with people’s insults about him. This is where I first found out that the news even reached CNN’s iReport website.
It is not surprising how this simple news story that is “intended to show the public the hazards of driving through flooded streets,” as GMA-7 network claims, was treated differently by internet users. Instead, public attention shifted to Lao’s comment on the Metro Manila Development Authority’s irresponsibility, putting him under the mocking eyes of others.
Reading the posts in the page, one user said: “Guys, ‘eto ang patunay na ang ibang tao ay walang tinatawag na ‘common sense.’ You do not need to be informed para lang marealize mo na ‘wag sumuong sa baha. Sentido kumon na magsasabi sa’yo ‘nun.” While another user said, “sabi ni LAO ...Bakit akoooo? bakit akooo...? sabi ng fan page na ito: kasi TANGA KA!”
What is alarming here is that social networking sites are being pushed to their limits as avenues for self-expression and interaction. People feel so entitled to the freedom they have in online media wherein degrading and condemning others have been treated like a form of entertainment.
Online statuses, posts, parodies, and pages have become a common tool for people to express approval or disapproval of a person (or even the government) since the advent of technological advancement. Brought by this innovation, rallies in the streets and personal rants are now virtually transferred in the cyberspace.
Having watched the news in 24-Oras myself, I think what placed Lao in such humiliating position is the arrogance he exhibited in the interview and the blame he gave to the bystanders, not to mention that his phenomenal rise in Facebook and Twitter is another record in the history of social media. With the rapid innovation of the World Wide Web, people are given more platforms where they can freely express their opinions over myriad issues and topics.
It is no doubt that social networking sites are powerful tools in redefining public discourse. The perks given to us by this age of digital communication place a big responsibility on our shoulders. We realize that indiscriminate use of such tools might entail harm to others.
Hence, active users of social networking sites have to be more cautious in exercising their freedom, because just like other things, freedom could not be enjoyed in its absolute sense. F
It is not surprising how this simple news story that is “intended to show the public the hazards of driving through flooded streets,” as GMA-7 network claims, was treated differently by internet users. Instead, public attention shifted to Lao’s comment on the Metro Manila Development Authority’s irresponsibility, putting him under the mocking eyes of others.
Reading the posts in the page, one user said: “Guys, ‘eto ang patunay na ang ibang tao ay walang tinatawag na ‘common sense.’ You do not need to be informed para lang marealize mo na ‘wag sumuong sa baha. Sentido kumon na magsasabi sa’yo ‘nun.” While another user said, “sabi ni LAO ...Bakit akoooo? bakit akooo...? sabi ng fan page na ito: kasi TANGA KA!”
What is alarming here is that social networking sites are being pushed to their limits as avenues for self-expression and interaction. People feel so entitled to the freedom they have in online media wherein degrading and condemning others have been treated like a form of entertainment.
Online statuses, posts, parodies, and pages have become a common tool for people to express approval or disapproval of a person (or even the government) since the advent of technological advancement. Brought by this innovation, rallies in the streets and personal rants are now virtually transferred in the cyberspace.
Having watched the news in 24-Oras myself, I think what placed Lao in such humiliating position is the arrogance he exhibited in the interview and the blame he gave to the bystanders, not to mention that his phenomenal rise in Facebook and Twitter is another record in the history of social media. With the rapid innovation of the World Wide Web, people are given more platforms where they can freely express their opinions over myriad issues and topics.
It is no doubt that social networking sites are powerful tools in redefining public discourse. The perks given to us by this age of digital communication place a big responsibility on our shoulders. We realize that indiscriminate use of such tools might entail harm to others.
Hence, active users of social networking sites have to be more cautious in exercising their freedom, because just like other things, freedom could not be enjoyed in its absolute sense. F
YR 47 Issue 1 2011
Perspectives
Word Class MARIE ANGELINE M. PAGULAYAN
BEING featured in local newscasts bears two possible results—either a sudden rise to fame or a plunge in shame.
All eyes are on University of the Philippines law student Christopher Lao as he gained insults in social networking sites after he was seen on national television driving his car in deep flood along Mother Ignacia St. in Quezon City last August 2.
Lao’s video aired in GMA-7’s 24-Oras immediately created a buzz in the internet making him the 8th trending topic in Twitter worldwide, and 4th in the Philippines the following day.
All eyes are on University of the Philippines law student Christopher Lao as he gained insults in social networking sites after he was seen on national television driving his car in deep flood along Mother Ignacia St. in Quezon City last August 2.
Lao’s video aired in GMA-7’s 24-Oras immediately created a buzz in the internet making him the 8th trending topic in Twitter worldwide, and 4th in the Philippines the following day.
On bad spotlight
Year 47 | Issue 3 | 2011
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