Embarrassing pictures on social networking sites may be deemed libelous

BAGUIO CITY: Posting pictures on social networking sites may land one in jail.

During the media forum here, Judicial Reform Program Administrator Judge Geraldine Faith Econg of the Program Management Office said that posting embarrassing pictures is a libelous liability.

Econg, in her lecture on Survey of Philippine Jurisprudence on Libel, Contempt and Right to Privacy, said that libel, one of the notable criminal felony under Revised Penal Code, is not exclusive to the printed word.

She said any person who publishes, exhibits or causes the publication or exhibition of any form of defamation faces libel charges.

When asked whether posting a photo of a friend sleeping at work constitutes a libelous act, she said the act itself could be considered publishing or exhibiting.

She added a person could face libel charges if the photo has caused discredit, dishonor or contempt of a person, living or dead, or organizations.

Employees getting fired after posting inappropriate photos on social sites had been earlier reported.

In the Philippines, lawyer Argee Guevarra was slapped with libel charges by Dr. Vicky Belo after the lawyer posted comments on Facebook calling for boycott of her beauty clinic. The cosmetic surgeon said her reputation was debased as Guevarra has some 1,400 friends on the site. –Ruben D. Manahan 4TH, Manila TImes