A protest rally called "Black Tuesday" will be staged on February 25, the 28th anniversary of the EDSA People Power Revolution, against the Supreme Court (SC) ruling on the constitutionality of online libel and cybercrime law.
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| Protesters gag their mouth with yellow tape bearing the words, "Oppose E-Martial Law," during a rally outside the Supreme Court. |
Several media groups and organizations say they will join the rally to signify their dismay over the court's decision over the “Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012″ or Republic Act No. 10175.
In a roundtable discussion on Friday, the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP), Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism (PCIJ), and other media organizations and bloggers who question the cybercrime law vowed to create a pooled editorial expressing their dismay over the court’s decision and pushing for the decriminalization of libel.
The groups also requested for the release of the full text of the court’s decision on the cybercrime law, saying that some of its points remain unclear.
The groups claimed that cybercrime not only affects journalists but also ordinary Filipinos. They said they will continue to oppose the cybercrime law.
They also urged netizens to help in their campaigns.--Source: Manila Bulletin