Wednesday, April 11, 2007

When blogging becomes a 'privilege'

Expanded from its previous form.


“Perhaps it does not mean what you think it means?” --Inigo Montoya

When Yuga said that "blogging is a privilege," I can quite understand what he meant. He was using the word "privilege" in a loose sense, perhaps as a term of praise for what he perceives to be an elite class.

But that is not its only meaning. And therein lies the problem.

In logic, it would be called a fallacy of equivocation. How and why? Because in the course of his statement, the word "privilege" is ultimately used in more than one sense.

Privilege, in its original sense, is a legal concept. Its etymology can be traced to "private law", that is, "a special right or immunity granted by a government to a restricted group, either by birth or on a conditional basis."

But all throughout his arguments, Yuga uses "privilege" to mean "economically advantaged." But "right" on the other hand, is understood in the sense of a legal or moral entitlement. And so we end up with a confusing proposition. Economic capacity on one hand, and a legal framework on the other.

If Yuga meant "blogging is only for those who can afford it" -- then there would have been little argument. Of course! It's no longer a matter of right or privilege but justice: in order to avail of a service, you pay for it. Not blogging per se, but all the other services that make it possible.

If Yuga meant "blogging is only for those who have time to write" -- then we start spinning around a tautology. In effect, it's saying, "writing is only for those who have time to write." It's just plain silly.

If Yuga meant "blogging is only for the rich and the middle class; it is not for the poor" -- well, now here is where I would have beef with him. I'm fairly certain many others would, too.

Why spend all this time and effort dissecting a seemingly innocuous statement? Because, in the first place, it's wrong in so many ways. Because, as "the country's most popular blogger", what Yuga says has weight...and he should know better. But mainly because, when you introduce the idea of blogging-as-privilege, it opens the doors for the legal interpretation...and that's something that's truly dangerous.

What happens when you apply the concept of "privilege" to blogging?

In Malaysia, ministers are in a fresh attack on bloggers:

Information Minister Zainuddin Maidin said bloggers should not be exempt from the same controls as the mainstream media.... Zainuddin also supported a proposal by deputy communications minister Shaziman Abu Mansor, who on Wednesday suggested bloggers be registered.

In China, the government wants to tighten control over blogging:

The Chinese Government already goes to great lengths in censoring what their bloggers publish, with bloggers currently subject to three layers of censorship...initial software generated/imposed censorship based on prohibited words, a second layer performed by a special team of censorship editors who read all blogs posts and delete offensive content that the software missed, and a third layer which in controlled by internet police officers....

When an esteemed entity like the government deigns to give you the legal permission to publish your blog, that is "privilege." Truly.


  1. Bloggers registering?!? Wow.

    This is one of those instances that I'm happy that I live in the Philippines.

  2. im glad im not in China...

    limiting what one says ? woot. tough.

  3. I've read your posts on biking. I'm planning a bike trip to Bohol. Any tips? How's the cycling on mainland Bohol? Are the chocolate hills a do-able ride for a weekend cyclist?

  4. Hi, Don and Tina: oh, yeah, just one of those things that we take for granted. For all its faults, this country is still tops in my book.

    Hi, Howie: the Bohol tourism map lists several mountain biking spots all over the island. Tagbilaran to Carmen (where the Hills are) is around 60km-70km, most of it flat highway. But it is quite scenic, especially along Loboc and the man-made forest.

    Panglao I've already written about before. Around 50km along its circumference.

    Let me know when you're going. I might be in Dumaguete in May so it's a quick hop for me.

  5. Thanks for the prompt reply. I'm actually arriving this weekend. Still planning my itinerary. I wish Bohol was just a quick hop for me. ; >

  6. This comment has been removed by the author.

  7. Nicely said, Dom.

    To give my 2 cents about the matter: Privilege also implies immunity. And nothing and no one insulate a blogger from suppression and mockery but his/her right of expression. So yes, blogging is a privilege just because it is a right.

  8. Just what you can expect from communists. In the Philippines, however, given our democratic system, there will be hell raised if that happens. From a purely legal point of view, blogging is not a privilege but a right. Even so, the State may regulate it as it sees fit, using the three tests of valid governmental interference: clear and present danger rule, dangerous tendency rule, and balancing of interest test. Then again, none of those tests apply presently, so blah.

  9. Thanks for the thoughts, Dong and Jute.

    Dong: isn't the fact that it is a right already presuppose that immunity? As I understand it, a "right" is common to all (by virtue of being human); a "privilege" is something that may be granted afterwards.

    Jute: Malaysia isn't a communist country, but it is quite autocratic. Same with Singapore which uses the same reasons you just mentioned. Thanks much for the three tests. I'll follow up with more readings.

  10. Oh, I was referring to China. You'll learn a lot more about Freedom of Expression from Bernas' Constitutional Law books. :)