(Published in Manila Standard Today under the Greenlight Column, February 6, 2012) On January 18, more than 150 million of Wikipedia’s daily users were caught by surprise when they were met with a message: “Imagine a world without free knowledge.” For 24 hours on that day, the site was on a ‘blackout’ in protest of the Stop Online Piracy Act and Protect Intellectual Property Act, which are being taken through the US Congress. No to censorship Other popular sites did not follow suit but posted protest messages on their sites. Google hosted a black patch on its US site and a message urging US lawmakers not to “censor the Internet.” Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg wrote on his Facebook wall that his company was against the censorship law and urged Americans to further lobby congressmen about the issue. About 7,000 smaller Web sites either joined in the blackout for the day or posted some kind of protest. At 5 a.m. of January 19, Wikipedia service was back and claimed victory, spo...
This blog features a collection of my articles, essays, and research studies on business, management, and social issues and subjects published in local (Philippines) and international publications. It also includes selected speeches and talks to academic and professional audience. (The views and comments in this blog do not reflect those of my past, present, and future employers)