Even if there are still many people who’d blankly stare at the mention of the word “blog”, it is undeniable that the blogging phenomenon has pervaded the consciousness of the average people, most especially through traditional media. Newspapers like Manila Bulletin and online information websites like Blog Addicts of You have featured bloggers and their works. And certainly, some journalists have also become bloggers. It seemed that traditional media have accepted and acknowledged the value of blogging in this Information Age.
Or maybe not. Maybe traditional media is in it for a love-and-hate relationship with blogging.
In several news episodes, mostly touching on the Brian Gorrell phenomenon, reporters often cautioned about readily believing information that can be found on blogs, as some people may be utilizing it to destroy another person’s dignity, leaving the viewers with the impression that bloggers should be equated with whiners and blackmailers. Malu Fernandez even insinuated that bloggers were just slackers with nothing better to do but to gossip about other people and perpetrate hate. Korina Sanchez made an episode in her show, “Korina Today”, entitled, “Beware of Blogs”. A guest made a distinction between “legitimate” and “illegitimate” bloggers (which made me wonder where the heck she got that concept regarding a blogger’s legitimacy to blog). The show also touched on the topic regarding Brian Gorrell’s blog.
It’s one thing for one medium to be distrustful of another. But it’s a totally different thing for one medium to be distrustful of another, and YET, turn to that distrusted medium for INFORMATION.
In October 2005, a photoblogger, Anton Sheker, made a post about his visit to Vigan and, of course, being a photoblogger, incorporated several photos he took during his trip.
In March 21, 2007, Anton was surprised to see a couple of his photos in an article by Max Ballesteros in the Travel and Tourism section of Manila Bulletin (see Anton’s post about it with the photos and a photo of the MB article). He was never informed and he never permitted anyone to use the photos in any article. He had called the attention of Manila Bulletin regarding the plagiarism but, unfortunately, was ignored. He sent a bill for the use of his photos but no compensation has been given. Instead, the photoblogger was threatened to be slapped with a criminal case if he continued his claim.
What darn arrogance!
Last June 5, 2008, with the help of his lawyer, Attorney Rod Vera, Anton finally sued the 108-year old major daily for using his photos without his permission. It was said that it may be be a landmark case in the Philippines with regards to Intellectual Property Law and it may be the first time that those EXIF data photos do carry that have been used to properly document each photo will be used as evidence in a court of law.
And I’ve to say this isn’t the first time that someone from traditional media stole material from a blogger. Friends and followers of Eric Dee’s Byahilo would remember how ABS-CBN had used some of his travel photos in the show Boy & Kris without his express permission to do so (Eric has removed his original post already as the problem has been resolved).
And, of course, there could be other bloggers who were victims of plagiarism committed by those in traditional media, who supposedly advocates “fairness” in their reportage. Perhaps I may not know about it all because either I’m not a follower of those blogs or the issues had been resolved quickly. But still the fact remains that some people from traditional media had develop the habit of taking information from bloggers and using it as if it’s their own.
Haven’t these people learned in their college english subjects that it’s proper to quote your sources? That it’s a number one crime in writing any paper, be it technical or journalistic, to be copying materials in its entirety and using it as if it’s your own, even without proper acknowledgement?
Are these the kind of journalists that Professors Teodoro and Hofilena are urging to blog so as to set examples for bloggers?
I still just couldn’t forget this line from Professor Teodoro:
“Many of those who post information online are irresponsible.”
With all due respect, Professor, I believe the same thing could be said about some journalists. Not only about what information they post online, but also on what they write in our newspapers, in what they report on TV and on radio. Traditional media may accuse bloggers of bringing further chaos in our “democratic dialogue”. But, honestly, come to think of it, it is the traditional media of late that brings more chaos, with their penchant for sensationalism, irresponsible reporting, and unnecessary bungling. Some journalists would benefit in a review of their basic journalism subjects.
All of these however, may have been avoided if only everybody would learn to remember how to respect copyrights. It’s a laughable notion that, still, some people think that whatever can be found on the internet is free. Even if the photo isn’t watermarked or labeled with “copyright”, the ownership never changes. At the point of creation, the created is owned by its creator. It is common sense, really. And somehow, I believe everybody really knows that, except that some would choose to ignore such a logical derivation in favor of selfish endeavors and the idea that nobody would DARE try stop them from doing so.
It’s good that Anton Sheker is pursuing his claim. But some bloggers aren’t going to be so fortunate, as not everybody can afford legal counsel. And maybe this is the very thought that strengthens the resolve of these media practitioners who steal information from other people.
These are but some observations that can make one think, “is traditional media losing its ethics?”
Well, I hope not. Seeing it as one of the most respectable professions ever created, it would be an injustice and a disgrace to its pioneers, if Journalism’s stature will become low as that of an ordinary thief because some of its practitioners just got too arrogant or too lazy to properly write or follow-up a story.
