I found this posting from yesterday's issue of the Inquirer net. In my case, I usually ask permission to post a photo that I like from the author or owner of the photograph. It was written by Tetch Torres.
"BAGUIO CITY, Philippines – Be careful with the pictures you post or when tagging people on your photos or you could be charged with libel, a lawyer said Wednesday.
Geraldine Faith Econg, Judicial Reform Program administrator, Program Management Office, in her lecture on Survey of Philippine Jurisprudence on Libel, Contempt and Right to Privacy said libel, a criminal offense defined under the Revised Penal Code, was not only confined to writing.
Econg, during the Supreme Court's Media Forum held here, explained that any person who shall publish, exhibit or cause the publication or exhibition of any defamation in writing or by similar means could be held responsible for libel.
She cited that a photo posted on a social website of a sleeping friend at work or any compromising photo for that matter could be considered libelous once his or her picture has been tagged and all the people in their network
could see it.
Econg said, like in writing, if the published photo has caused “discredit, dishonor or contempt of a natural or juridical person [entities, organizations etc.] or blackened the memory of one who is dead” then a case for libel was possible.
There are several reports where employees have been fired for inappropriate photos posted over Facebook.
Georgia teacher Ashley Payne was terminated for photos showing her holding beer mugs and glasses of wine while a nursing home employee was fired for a photo with a resident which was a violation of the patient’s privacy rights.
In 2009, a test case for libel due to a Facebook post was filed by beauty Dr. Vicky Belo against lawyer Argee Guevarra who posted on his Facebook account comments against the doctor and calls to boycott her clinic.
Belo argued that her reputation was debased by the post. Belo was not tagged a friend of Guevarra on Facebook but the lawyer has over 1,400 friends who saw his post on the cosmetic surgeon".
I hope you find this article informative. Comments will be appreciated.
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