Since the post of the EDITORIAL-OPINION section of The Varsitarian - RH bill, Ateneo, and La Salle: Of lemons and cowards, emotional reaction and comments from everywhere - particularly from ADMU, DLSU, and UST - yes, even from the university itself, filled the comment box of every social media, news portal, and every online medium thereof.
The controversial editorial from the UST's official student publication, THE VARSITARIAN has been responded well and wisely by THE GUIDON, ADMU official student paper and ANG PAHAYAGANG PLARIDEL & THE LASALLIAN, DLSU official Filipino and English [respectively] student publication.
Many of the netizens praised the two articles as it pointed out not the slander and defamatory remarks of the Varsitarian but the responsibility of the media, individual and sectors of society on intelligent and informative writing.
Full articles may be found on the links below:
THE PLARIDEL: http://plaridel.ph/?p=257
THE LASALLIAN: http://thelasallian.com/2012/10/09/with-all-due-respect/
I have to completely agree with these editorials because despite our freedom for speech and express our opinions, we also have responsibility to others, to our community, and to ourselves. We couldn't pick one and take away another. While we can say that Varsitarian only exercised their rights to state their opinions, they have failed to do it responsibly.
Freedom of speech and opinion is not absolute. Freedom always comes with great responsibility. And every rights have its own boundaries. The editorial section of the Varsitarian is clearly a one sided argument steered away from the main topic by throwing defamatory remarks to the other two universities without stating objective opinions. Rather than informative, it is an unintelligent opinion that tarnished the well-respected publication due to lack of sensitivity and objective.
For a publication that represent a community of well-educated students and a well-dignified institution, a responsible writing should be in place. It is okay to affirm their stand on the issue but never its been good to defame others just to make you look great, that the Varsitarian did unfortunately. This is why libel/defamation has been introduced in our laws because freedom is not limitless and you cannot always put in defense that 'Hey, I have the freedom to say anything and everything as I am only exercising my right". We are not infants anymore to even put that into thinking.
On the other hand, UST washed their hands on the controversy made by THE VARSITARIAN but reiterate that " "While it is one with the Varsitarian in this light, the University does not impose its will nor exercise prior restraint on the opinions of the school paper's writers nor the manner by which they are expressed."
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