SC: Vloggers right to free speech not violated in congressional hearings

The Supreme Court (SC) has ruled that the vloggers' right to free speech is not violated when they are invited by Congress to a legislative inquiry on the spread of fake news online.

- By REY G. PANALIGAN

The SC pointed out that Congress cannot be prevented from inviting resource persons to legislative inquiries just because the topic involves speech.

It pointed out that Congress has the power to enact laws penalizing forms of speech that are not protected under the Constitution, such as those that create disorder or threaten society.

In a full court decision written by Associate Justice Amy C. Lazaro-Javier, the SC dismissed the petition filed by several vloggers who asked the High Court to stop the House of Representatives (HOR) from inviting them as resource persons.