Just read from Marc Macuha’s blog that columnist Malu Fernandez of Manila Standard Today and People Asia has resigned and apologized for what she wrote on some of her recent articles.
This would have been a huge triumph for the blogosphere that have been very vocal against her — but death threats?
Demanding a public apology and outright dismissal from the said publication is a valid argument. Name calling and cursing is treading on thin line but is always expected in times of outpouring emotions. Making death threats is totally crossing the line.
GMANewsTV reports, quoting her:
Fernandez claimed that because of the article she became a subject of hate blogs, a target of death threats and personal insults.
“Our society is bound together by human chains of kindness and decency. I have failed to observe this and I am now reaping the consequences of my actions.” Fernandez said.
Fernandez said she now truly understands the “insidiousness of discrimination and prejudice disguised as humor.”
Yes, she might deserve the ridicule thrown at her but subjecting her to death threats is a huge cause for concern (isn’t that a criminal offense under Philippine Law?). Death threats are no joke. The internet (and blogging) is a great tool for freedom of expression. That liberty, coupled with the inherent benefit of anonymity online, shouldn’t be used to cause anyone bodily harm.
Bloggers should also be vigilant to prevent this. I know it’s an impossible task but measures should be made to minimize it. Moderating comments deemed to be libelous and threatening should be exercised especially in situations like these. The same is true with anonymous blogs that calls out for someone to be physically harmed — do no link to them or allow them to post links on your blog.
This reminds me of Tim O’Reilly’s call for a Bloggers Code of Conduct after fellow blogger and friend Kathy Sierra was subjected to hate comments and death threats.
i cant say im having doubts about what to say regarding this OFW article from Malu Feranandez, see guys, i know that part of what she’s saying is the reality but the fact that she does NOT need to make a big impression about that, coz its a natural response from us PEOPLE that in any case we’ve heard of such – we do normally react in a way to defend our side and to those who were given sh*t on their shoulders.She have made an exaggerated article about her possessions in life, her work, the so called luxuries that she gets but how rude it was for her to degrade our OFWs – has she or have we already forgotten the stories of OFWs who have suffered alot from their foreign employers? Does she even know how hard it is to earn money? maybe not coz she belong to a rich family.. (rich from the luxuries but lacks manners!)
I have seen alot of our kababayans who are domestic helpers, you can even feel their fears, their lonliness, their sufferings of being away from their own family, chosing somebody else’s children to take care of rather than their own… She or not even one of us can judge the OFW just bcoz they exhibit thru their accessories, at least they dont do it like what Malu Fernandez have done! i guess i can only say that they are just proud to see that hard work really pays off!#
so leave the OFWs alone ms. Porky!
To my Fellow OFW – we salute you for your bravery, for working hard for your family as well as for your country!
to Malu Fernandez – hope you have learned your lesson, that money is NOT about Everything, its better to be wealthy in manners than the things that fade, never under estimate someone who have gone thru a lot, you may think this people are small but to tell you the truth they are bigtime