Topic 7: Introduction to Legal, Ethical, and Societal Issues in Media and Information

In today’s digital age, understanding the legal and ethical frameworks that govern media and information use is crucial for every learner. Intellectual property laws, such as copyright and fair use, ensure that creators retain rights to their work, while ethical standards like netiquette and respect for human rights dictate how individuals interact in the online space. Furthermore, societal issues such as digital divide, addiction, and bullying highlight the need for responsible media consumption and communication.

 

RA 10175: Cybercrime Law.

or the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012

·   is a law in the Philippines approved on September 12, 2012 which aims to address legal issues concerning online interactions and the Internet

·   Among the cybercrime offenses included in the bill are cybersquatting, cybersex, child pornography, identity theft, illegal access to data and libel.

 

Definition of Terms

Cyber

·   relating to, or involving computers or computer networks (such as the Internet)

Cyberspace

·   refers to the virtual computer world, and more specifically, is an electronic medium used to form a global computer network to facilitate online communication

Cybercrime

·   refers to the criminal activities carried out by means of computers or the Internet

Hacking

·   refers to the practice of modifying or altering computer software and hardware to accomplish a goal that is considered to be outside of the creator's original objective.

Phishing

·   is the attempt to obtain sensitive information such as usernames, passwords, and credit card details (and, indirectly, money), often for malicious reasons, by disguising as a trustworthy entity in an electronic communication.

Illegal Downloading

·   refers to obtaining files that you do not have the right to use from the Internet.

Digital Piracy

·   the practice of illegally copying and selling digital music, video, computer software, etc.

Identity Theft

·   is the deliberate use of someone else's identity, usually as a method to gain a financial advantage or obtain credit and other benefits in the other person's name, and perhaps to the other person's disadvantage or loss

Cyber Defamation

·   is an unprivileged false statement of fact which tends to harm the reputation of a person or company

 

Types of Defamation:

·   Libel - written

·   Slander - verbal

 

CYBERSEX

·   also called computer sex, Internet sex, netsex

·   is a virtual sex encounter in which two or more people (connected remotely via internet) send each other sexually explicit contents or sexually explicit acts

Child Pornography

·   is a form of child sexual exploitation

CYBERSQUATTING

·   is registering, trafficking in, or using an Internet domain name with bad faith intent to profit from the goodwill of a trademark belonging to someone else.

·   The cybersquatter then offers to sell the domain to the person or company who owns a trademark contained within the name at an inflated price.

 

Lesson 1: Copyright, Fair Use, and Plagiarism

Definition of Copyright

·   Copyright is the legal protection granted to the creators of original works, such as books, music, films, and software, giving them exclusive rights to use and distribute their creations.

·       a legal device that gives the creator of a literary, artistic, musical, or other creative work the sole
 right to publish and sell that work.

·       Copyright owners have the right to control the reproduction of their work,
 including the right to receive payment for that
 reproduction.

 

Using a Copyright symbol: © The Copyright Act does not require that any symbols be used to indicate that works are subject to copyright. However, if you are going to distribute your work to the public, you should use the copyright symbol to let others know that the work is protected.

 

Importance of Copyright: It protects creators from unauthorized use of their intellectual property and promotes creativity.

Example of Copyright: A photographer owns the copyright to a photo they take and can control how it is used or shared.

 

Violation of a copyright is called infringement.

 

Republic Act No. 8293 or the Intellectual Property Code of the Philippines

·       An Act prescribing the Intellectual Property Code and establishing the Intellectual Property Office, providing for its powers and functions, and for other purposes.

·       This law, enacted on June 6, 1997, aims to safeguard intellectual property rights, including copyright infringement. In the context of plagiarism, the Intellectual Property Code protects original works of authorship, such as literary and artistic works.

 

Definition of Fair Use

·   Fair use allows for limited use of copyrighted material without permission, for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, or research.

·       is a legal concept that allows the reproduction of copyrighted material for certain purposes without obtaining permission and without paying a fee. Purposes permitting the application of fair use generally include review, news reporting, teaching, or scholarly research. 

Example of Fair Use: A teacher can use a short excerpt from a book in a lesson without needing to get permission, as it falls under fair use.

 

Definition of Plagiarism

·   Plagiarism is the act of using someone else’s work or ideas without proper acknowledgment, whether it’s in academic, professional, or creative settings.

·       an act or instance of using or closely imitating the language and thoughts of another author without authorization; the representation of that author's work as one's own, as by not crediting the original author.

Example of Plagiarism: Copying and pasting content from an online source into a research paper without citation is considered plagiarism.

 

Definition of Human Rights and Copyright

·   Copyright is not only a matter of intellectual property but also intersects with human rights, particularly freedom of expression and access to information. A balance needs to be struck between protecting creators’ rights and ensuring access to information for education and innovation.

Example of Human Rights and Copyright: In some countries, open access policies are in place to make educational materials freely available, promoting the right to education.

 

Lesson 2: Netiquette and Virtual Self

Definition of Netiquette (Network Etiquette)

·   Netiquette refers to the set of rules and guidelines for acceptable behavior in online communications.

·       the correct or acceptable way of communicating on the Internet.

Example of Netiquette: Avoiding ALL CAPS (which is seen as shouting), using polite language, and being respectful to others in online forums or social media.

 

Definition of Virtual Self

·   The virtual self is the representation of an individual’s identity and behavior online. This includes their social media presence, online profiles, and digital communications.

·       The persona you create about yourself virtually.

Example of Virtual Self: A person may present themselves as more professional on LinkedIn but more casual on Facebook.

 

Lesson 3: Digital Divide, Addiction, and Bullying

Definition of Digital Divide

·   The digital divide refers to the gap between individuals who have access to modern information and communication technologies (ICT) and those who do not.

·       an economic inequality between groups in terms of access to, use of, or knowledge of ICT. The divide within countries can refer to inequalities between individuals, households, businesses, and geographic areas at different socioeconomic (and other demographic)  levels

Example of Digital Divide: Students in rural areas might not have access to high-speed internet or digital devices, limiting their ability to participate in online learning.

 

Definition of Addiction

·   Media and internet addiction refers to excessive or compulsive use of digital platforms to the detriment of personal, social, or academic well-being.

·       the excessive use of computers to the extent that it interferes with daily life. This excessive use may for example interfere with work or sleep, result in problems with social interaction, or affect mood, relationships and thought processes.

Example of Addiction: Spending several hours a day on social media or playing online games can lead to addiction, impacting mental health and academic performance.

 

Definition of Cyberbullying

·   Cyberbullying involves using digital platforms to harass, embarrass, or harm others.

·       the use of electronic communication to bully a person, typically by sending messages of an intimidating or threatening nature

Example of Cyberbullying: Sending hurtful messages or spreading rumors about someone on social media constitutes cyberbullying.

 

Lesson 4: Promoting Ethical Use of Media

Promoting the ethical use of media involves ensuring the responsible consumption, sharing, and creation of content. This includes understanding and respecting copyright laws, practicing fairness in sharing information, and avoiding harmful behaviors such as plagiarism and cyberbullying.

 

1. Education and Awareness:

 

2. Fostering Ethical Practices:

 

3. Supporting Responsible Use:

 

4. Ethical Considerations for Content Creators:

 

5. Role of Government and Policy:

 

 

Lesson 5: Opportunities and Challenges in Media and Information

Opportunities in Media and Information

·        Access to Information:

 

·        Economic Growth:

 

·        Social and Cultural Impact:

 

Challenges in Media and Information

·        Misinformation and Disinformation:

 

·        Privacy and Security:

 

·        Digital Divide:

 

·        Ethical Considerations: