This document discusses social media usage in the Philippines. It notes that social networking is embedded in Philippine culture as Filipinos like to stay connected with family and friends. The internet made it easier for Filipinos to do this through social media rather than letters or phone calls. It provides data on top websites and internet activities by age group in the Philippines. Reasons for internet use include social media networking. It discusses how politicians, police, and organizations have used social media. The document also covers ethical considerations for using social media based on principles like honesty, minimizing harm, and accountability.

1. Rachel E. Khan
Associate Professor
of Journalism
University of the
Philippines
Social Media and
the Philippines

2. Internet usage in
Southeast Asia
Source:
AC Nielsen 2011
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3. R.E.Khan,UofthePhilippines

4. Social networking is something embedded in
Philippine culture. As a people, we like to
“make friends” and keep in touch with family.
So the internet simply made it easy for
Filipinos to do what they were already doing
using long distance telephone
communication or letter-writing.
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5. Top Websites in the Philippines
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6. Top Activities on the Internet by Age Group
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7. Reasons for Internet use
Source; Yahoo!-Nielsen Net Index 2010 (Philippines)
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8. Source; Yahoo!-Nielsen Net Index 2010 (Philippines)
Network on Social Media
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9. Other uses of Social Networking (Philippines)
• promote TV programs and contests (Pinoy Big
Brother) that target the youth
• post Job Openings for business process outsourcing
(BPO) companies;
• organize rallies (to lobby against bills in Congress)
• boost chances of being elected:
 Sen. Chiz Escudero (friendster)
 Sen. Antonio Trillianes (blogger.com &
multiply)
• spread the faith and clarify issues (cbcponline.com)
• to ask the opinion of other people before buying
something
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10. Other uses of Social Networking (Philippines)
• Friendster was also used as a tool
for police investigations:
• Cebu City police were able to
track down suspects for the
robbery and murder of a female
student (Mar 2008);
• In Manila, police caught a
murder suspect because they
found his location through his
friendster profile (July 2007).
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11. Philippine Copycat sites
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12. Yehey! not Yahoo!
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13. Hikot not Hi-5
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14. Some Ethical considerations on Social Media
based on the Code of the Society of Professional Journalists
Be Honest and Fair
You should be honest and fair in reporting information,
commenting on posts and interpreting information.
• Identify and link to sources whenever feasible. The public is
entitled to as much information as possible on sources'
reliability.
• Make certain that Weblog entries, quotations, headlines,
photos and all other content do not misrepresent. They should
not oversimplify or highlight incidents out of context.
• Never distort the content of photos without disclosing what
has been changed. Image enhancement is only acceptable
for technical clarity. Label montages and photo illustrations.
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15. Some Ethical considerations on Social Media
based on the Code of the Society of Professional Journalists
Minimize Harm
You should treat people as human beings deserving of
respect.
• Show compassion for those who may be affected adversely
by what you post on your social media site. Use special
sensitivity when dealing with children and inexperienced
sources or subjects.
• Be sensitive when using photographs of those affected by
tragedy or grief.
• Recognize that right to privacy of other people. Don’t post
pictures that make fun of people or make them look bad.
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16. Some Ethical considerations on Social Media
based on the Code of the Society of Professional Journalists
Be Accountable
• Admit mistakes and correct them promptly.
• If posting information, make sure that it is true and factual. If
it only a rumor, make it clear that it is just a rumor.
• Don’t pretend to be someone you are not (for example,
claim that you can speak French, when you really do not
know how).
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