Photojournalists, photography freedom advocates hit swift action of Congress on 'Anti-Selfie Bill'

Photojournalists and photographers' groups denounced on Tuesday the speed at which the House of Representatives has pushed forward the “Anti-Selfie Bill”, which is supposedly designed to protect people from “personal intrusion for commercial purposes.”

 

"We have been kept in the dark and we are surprised that this bill is on its third reading," photography freedom advocate Mel Cortez said during the protest action of the “Bawal Mag-shoot dito - only in the Philippines” group, the Press Photographers of the Philippines, the Photojournalists' Center of the Philippines (PCP) at the Batasan.

 

The protesting photographers wore black shirts and bore placards saying, “Defend Press Freedom: No to House Bill 4807” and "Yes to Freedom of Expression; No to Anti-selfie Bill."

 

Photojournalists protested on Tuesday the swiftness with which Congress approved on second reading the proposed "Anti-Selfie Act" or House Bill 4807. The protesters said the bill ought to clearly exempt news gathering from the scope of the bill.

Cagayan de Oro City – Second District Representative Rufus Rodriguez filed House Bill 4807. Photographers said the bill hurdled second reading last month. 

 

A search of HB 4807 by GMA News Online in the House website revealed that the text and history log of HB 4807 is nowhere to be found on the website.

 

Veteran photojournalist Mike Alquinto, chairman of PCP,  said “The Anti-Selfie Bill” can be used against the media and journalists. “There must be clear provisions that specify the exemption of news gathering.”

 

Press Photographers of the Philippines president Freddy Mañalac, said it is “shocking” that HB 4807 was rushed through the legislative mill .

 

He said the swift action on the bill just proves how legislators prioritize a bill that will protect their interests.

 

Mañalac  also said that despite lawmakers' persistent threats to kick him out of the Batasan session hall during hearings and sessions, he is still on the hunt for lawmakers who spend time sleeping during work. 

 

He said there is no bill or even law that gives legislators a public sleeping day in Congress. Sleeping, he addded, can be done in a place we consider private, in a comfort of our house, but not during work or office hours nor in a public place like Congress.

 

Alquinto also cited that instance when a netizen took a picture of what is now alleged to have been a kidnapping and extortion incident executed by active members of the Philippine National Police. 

 

That responsible action of the netizen has led to the arrest of at least two suspects and the identification and hunt for their alleged partners in crime.

 

Bayan Muna partylist Representative Neri Colmenares opposes the passage of the HB 4807. "Netizens who want change in the government (can also be instruments for seeking) the truth. Just like us, politicians, journalists, the netizens have already become of advocates of good governance,” Colmenares said in a statement.  — ELR, GMA News