Can we as ordinary citizen, create our own version of wikileaks.work to expose anomalies of the State and acquire documents and place them in the website.
A democratic society like what we have in the Philippines is based on the norm that the views, the ideas of the people on public question are given effect to. This can be achieved if and only there is free exchange of ideas and information amongst people. The free discussion and criticism makes government accountable and to be responsive to the will of the people. It is also through discussion that errors of government are peacefully considered and peaceful changes are effected.
Democracy functions best when people are well informed and are free to participate in public issues and have access to the wildest choice of information and solutions to problems and issues that affect them. With the advent of technology and cyberage as we are now, the freedom of expression and information are further reinforce. Exchanges of ideas, opinions and information are done in split seconds.
These rights are enshrined in our 1987 Constitution specifically:
Art III Section 4 . No law shall be passed abridging the freedom of speech, of expression, or the right of the people peaceably to assemble and petition the government for redress of grievances.
Art. III Section 7. 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.
Art II Section 24. The State recognizes the vital role of communication and information in nation-building.
These rights however are not absolute and thus subject to restrictions: such as respect for the rights and reputation of others and for the protection of national security, or of public order or public health or morals.
For every right carries with it a corresponding obligation. Freedom is not freedom from responsibility but freedom with responsibility.
