Cyber Libel Republic Act No. 10175, also known as the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012.
Cyber libel is considered a threat online under the
Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012 (Republic Act No. 10175) in the Philippines. Cyber libel refers to defamation that occurs through the use of information and communication technology (ICT), such as the internet, social media platforms, websites, or other digital means.
What is Libel?
Libel, in general, is a form of
defamation where false statements are made about an individual or entity that harm their reputation. The key elements of libel include:
- Publication : The defamatory statement is made public, meaning it is communicated to at least one person other than the subject.
- Identification : The statement identifies the victim, either directly or indirectly.
- Defamatory Content : The statement damages the reputation of the person being targeted.
- Malice or Negligence : The statement was made with malicious intent (in the case of public figures) or with negligence (in the case of private individuals).
When these elements occur
online , it becomes
cyber libel .
Cyber Libel Under RA 10175
Under
Section 4(c)(4) of the Cybercrime Prevention Act, cyber libel is defined as:
"The unlawful or prohibited acts of libel as defined in Article 355 of the Revised Penal Code, as amended, committed through a computer system or any other similar means which may be devised in the future."
This means that if someone publishes false and defamatory statements about another person online (e.g., via social media, blogs, forums, or websites), they could be charged with
cyber libel .