Sen JV Ejercito files bill vs cyberbullying, fake news

Senator JV Ejercito has filed Senate Bill No. 1474, the "Emman Atienza Bill" or "Anti-Online Hate and Harassment Act," to combat cyberbullying, fake news, and online defamation, especially among the youth.

The bill is named after Emman Atienza, the late daughter of TV personality Kim Atienza, who experienced intense online bullying and mental health challenges.

Ejercito stated that while free speech is a right, it should not infringe upon the rights of others, as online bullying causes real-world pain.

The proposed measure seeks to expand the scope of the Cybercrime Prevention Act and the Anti-Bullying Act by providing clearer definitions for online hate and harassment, including expressions inciting hatred or discrimination based on gender or sexuality, cyberstalking, and non-consensual sharing of private information.

Sanctions for violations range from imprisonment to fines from P50,000 to P200,000, depending on the offense's gravity and frequency.

Digital platforms would be required to promptly remove or disable content classified as online harassment, preserve data for court proceedings, and strengthen their mechanisms against such abuse.

These mechanisms include employing trained content flaggers and swiftly suspending users who spread hateful content.