“Covid-19 Triggers Wave of Free Speech Abuse”

There were at least 83 countries reported that their governments were using the
Covid-19 pandemic to give justifications in violating the exercise of free speech and peaceful
assembly. By means of being attacked, detained, prosecuted, and in some cases killed their
critics, broken up peaceful protests, closed media outlets, and enacted vague laws criminalizing
speech that they claimed to be a threat to public health. The victims include but are not limited
to journalists, activists, healthcare workers, political opposition groups, and others who have
criticized government responses to the coronavirus. Under the First Amendment rights of 1987
Constitution of the Philippines, Article III Section 4 states, “No law shall be passed abridging the
freedom of speech, of expression, or of the press, or the right of the people peaceably to
assemble and petition the government for redress of grievances”. However there are such
situations wherein this law doesn’t apply such as acts that overlapped another person’s rights.
But unfortunately a lot of people who tasted power are consumed by it. Thinking that a person
will get away with anything that a person has done because they have power, money and
connection to make everything go away. The quote “With great power, comes with great
responsibility” meaning that it doesn’t make you an exception to the law, no matter what social
status you have or what work field you are. It is only appropriate to use that power for the
greater good, not for personal gains such as silencing those who oppose you. The Covid-19
Pandemic has become a way of revealing the truth, who among these leaders are really
working for the benefit of the country and the people. And for me criticism can be turned into
something beneficial to you, because free speech in a way gives us an idea where we can
improve and the people should be aware of those that are happening around the country and
even other countries. The more information one has, the more they can decide on a course of
action such as electing a person to represent the country and lead to a better tomorrow. And for
those people who were incited to commit a crime or ordered to are not to be excused from any
liability such as “Ignorantia juris non excusat” which in latin meaning “Ignorance of the law
excuses no one”. Free speech is also a way of protecting oneself and others from harm, such
as statements given by known people or anyone could endanger someone's life and having the
right for free speech enables us to give our opinions and comments such as a doctor giving his
thoughts on a certain medical issue or studies given by another doctor. In those ways we can
guarantee the safety of others.

The government is obligated to protect the right of freedom of expression and speech
not suppress it if their situation demands it to satisfy their own ends. The right to freedom of
expression is integral to the enjoyment of freedom of assembly, including for public protest.
Human rights treaties, including the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights
(ICCPR), permit restrictions on freedom of speech and assembly only if they are provided for by
law, are strictly necessary and proportionate to achieve a legitimate aim, including the protection
of national security, public order or public health, and morals, and are nondiscriminatory. Other
legitimate aims include the protection of the rights or reputation of others in the case of free
speech, or, in the case of freedom of assembly, the protection of the “rights and freedom” of
others. The government must adhere to this in order for them to create a sustainable and
stabilized society that benefits all constituents that are present within it.
Like the article has stated, the government also has an international obligation to provide
the public with access to accurate information on health threats, including methods of
preventing and controlling them that entails under the First Amendment rights of 1987
Constitution of the Philippines, Article III Section 7 through which “The right of the people to
information on matters of public concern shall be recognized. Access to official records, and to
documents and papers pertaining to official acts, transactions, or decisions, as well as to
government research data used as basis for policy development, shall be afforded the citizen,
subject to such limitations as may be provided by law”. Disproportionate or unwanted restraints
on free speech can make it harder to counter misinformation about Covid-19, including
conspiracy theories about false and dangerous treatments that have flourished on social media
and offline.
In the end, when a governments face a public emergency that “threatens the life of the
nation” or “the independence or security” of a country, and they cannot achieve their public
health or other public policy objectives by imposing only these restrictions, key international
human rights treaties allow them temporarily to further restrict or even suspend some rights,
including freedom of speech. They may do this by entering a derogation from their obligations.
In such cases, governments should declare a state of emergency, show why more “severe”
restrictions are necessary, and provide for such restrictions in law with sunset clauses that will
ensure the temporary nature of the exceptional restrictions. As with any limitation on rights,
restrictions imposed under a derogation must be nondiscriminatory. Even though it is a crucial
solution, the government must not abuse these types of restrictions that threaten a human life
even the order in a society and if corruption is present, the people must remind those in power
with valid criticisms and hope that these officials adapt and apply an alternative that benefits
both parties to it in order for society to remain stable and self-sustaining.

Taken From:
1. https://www.hrw.org/news/2021/02/11/covid-19-triggers-wave-free-speech-abuse
2. https://www.officialgazette.gov.ph/constitutions/the-1987-constitution-of-the-republic-of-th
e-philippines/the-1987-constitution-
s-article-iii/#:~:text=Section%204.,government%20for%20redress%20of%20grievances.
&text=No%20law%20shall%20be%20made,prohibiting%20the%20free%20exercise%20
thereof.