We join photojournalists, photographers, videographers, filmmakers, and ordinary citizens who are appalled at the House of Representatives’ passage on second reading of House Bill 4807 or the Protection Against Personal Intrusion Act, also called as the “Anti-Selfie Act.”

Ludicrous as the moniker, or popular name, of the said bill may sound, it is actually an indicator of how overly broad and vague the provisions of HB 4807 are. The bill makes it unlawful “to capture, any type of visual image, sound recording, or other physical impression of any individual, personal or family activity for commercial purposes.” It is supposedly meant to protect an individual’s privacy by punishing those who use cameras and other recording devices to capture private moments, even if it is done on public property (or even if there is “no physical trespass” on private property).

HB 4807 is another repressive media law in-the-making, one that masquerades as being for the protection of individual privacy, but actually serves as a tool to inhibit freedom of expression and of the press. It has no place in a society that claims to be democratic, and especially in an age when digital information communication devices are now part of the everyday lives of citizens, and are being used as valuable tools for self-expression and active participation in society.

Like the Right to Reply Bill that came before it, and the Anti-Cybercrime Act that was treacherously passed by the president and Congress in 2012, HB 4807 criminalizes acts of expression and reportage. It is unnecessary and prone to abuse. It would create a “chilling effect” on media practitioners and ordinary citizens alike.

There is reason to believe that HB 4807 is motivated by the desire of corrupt public officials to shield themselves from the watchful eyes of the media and the public. These past two years, citizens especially have been very successful in exposing the extravagant lifestyles of individuals and public officials involved in the pork barrel scam. Photos of officials, including the president himself, with Janet Lim-Napoles in so-called private gatherings have surfaced. Are these the kinds of “intrusion to privacy” that our legislators are trying to prevent? We cannot help but think so.

Let the public be reminded that too many repressive media laws already exist–libel, including online libel, remains a criminal offense under the Revised Penal Code and the newly-passed Anti-Cybercrime Act. The killings of journalists remain unabated. Furthermore, the Aquino administration continues to twit and pressure the media, including citizen media, whenever it reports on issues and realities that challenge the government’s rhetorics on change and progress.

It is the citizens and the media who must protect themselves against such legislation that intrude onto our most cherished freedoms and rights. Junk HB 4807! Uphold freedom of expression and of the press! No to repressive media laws!

*PMC is publisher of Pinoy Weekly and Pinoy Weekly Online