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Having been exposed to journalism since high school, there are two things I would want to stay away from when blogging thoughts, ideas, and reviews: libel and plagiarism. Since I stick to writing original stuff and acknowledge my sources whenever I use quoted material, plagiarism is easily off my back. But libel, man, now that’s creepy. 12 units of law subjects in college somehow fortified my paranoia.

The Blog and Soul Movement brewed something for fellow bloggers at Kape Isla in Serendra last Saturday with a timely discussion on Blog Ethics and Libel Law. The discussion, abley led by Atty. Butch Dado, was participated in by fellow bloggers Noemi Dado, Juned Sonido, Dine Racoma and son Alan Jr, Abe Olandres, Enrico Dee, Nina Fuentes, Karlo Licudine, Benj Espina, Jeff Villafranca, Ederic Eder, Arbet Bernardo, Arpee Lazaro, and a rockstar who shall not be named.

Attending this first of its kind blogger congregation was worth waking up early on a weekend for. Personally, I was more concerned on what I’d do should I encounter a published blog post where I was the focal point of a morally belittling and false claim. Blame it on my unwavering star complex, thank you very much. Before the lecture, my instinct was set on seeking legal advise ASAP.

The first thing to do in this circumstance, I only found out, was assess the situation yourself and try to contact the publisher of the malicious article/post/comment. With your cool in tact, request that the article be taken down after you impart your concern to the site owner. These steps should foremost be taken before slapping anyone with libel. I also learned that freedom of the press, freedom of expression, and freedom of speech can back you up when you take a stand at publishing something that you strongly feel is of public concern.

Let’s all watch out for the podcast of this event some time soon, hopefully. Right, Juned-san? Kidding, man!

Thanks to the organizers and to Atty. Butch Dado and, Ms. Noemi, I still owe you guys books for the BookBigayan project of Rock Ed Philippines. It always gives me great pleasure to meet fellow bloggers for the first time or otherwise.

Taken over lunch soon after the event.

Photos below. Some of the shots were taken after the event and during lunch in Market! Market! Others taken WAY after in Glorietta. As always, shameless plugging, all photos were taken using a Nokia N82. Yay!



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