Planning to write a hub on sensitive issues

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   Mamertoposted 5 years ago

   Just sharing.
   
   I'm planning to do some hubs on some not so merry topics. One is Filipino politics criticism. I love our president but I think he needs some healthy criticism on some topics. But with an army of insane supporter trolls bent on silencing critics, I think I need to be cautious.
   
   Another is on religious criticism. I am a Catholic but I just stumbled upon a couple of toxic religions in the Philippines. One said that everyone but them will go to hell. Oncevthey almost shut manila down. The other one is an extremist bent on trolling non believers. Again they have an army of rabid followers hence I need a fake account to protect myself.
   
   How about you guys, ever handled sensitive hubs before?

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      cursedempathposted 5 years agoin reply to this

      Too "sensitive" and you will have your ads disabled. Heads up. I know this because I, too, am not a "cherry on top" writer myself. I have written multiple pieces that have been left in the reject pile because I get punished for it basically. If you are going to go after religion? Don't. It will be your downfall here.
      
      Those who speak truth do not win popularity contests. I know this for a fact.

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         Mamertoposted 5 years agoin reply to this

         But thanks anyway for the tip. If I decided to do religious criticism, I'll make it balanced. Do note that I have friends in these not so merry religions.

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   Bede le Venerableposted 5 years ago

   Hi Mamerto- I can understand how you feel passionate about these topics; your innate sense of justice says “no.” I’m currently working on an article about a German bishop who spoke out against the Nazis in very forceful terms. However, he was so popular that the Nazis wouldn’t touch him. I’m afraid that you will be treading on thin ice if you resort to blowing the whistle. What if you wrote about the general topics, without naming specific groups, such as, “Narrow-mindedness in Religion,” or “How to Endure a Corrupt Government,” etc. Just suggestions, do what you think is best.

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      Mamertoposted 5 years agoin reply to this

      Thank you very much! This will be very helpful indeed! I also try not to spread hate in my hubs by making it balanced.

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   Wesman Todd Shawposted 5 years ago

   Controversial things can be pretty successful. Hey, if you are feeling passionate about something, that passion will come through in the writing, and people respond to that.

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      gerimcclymposted 5 years agoin reply to this

      +1

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         paradigmsearchposted 5 years agoin reply to this

         $300.

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            gerimcclymposted 5 years agoin reply to this

            Are you paying me? Do you need my paypal account? I don't get it.

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      Mamertoposted 5 years agoin reply to this

      Agree on that!

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   paradigmsearchposted 5 years ago

   Try one and name names, especially in the title. Better odds than the lottery games.

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      Mamertoposted 5 years agoin reply to this

      I'll try, in fact I already got some ideas in my notebook

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   psycheskinnerposted 5 years ago

   Are you in the Philippines?  Because if you are the potential consequences are very different than if you are in the US.

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      paradigmsearchposted 5 years agoin reply to this

      I didn't think of that. Is she right?

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         Mamertoposted 5 years agoin reply to this

         Actually yes. When it comes to freedom of expression it is rougher here. We got some bloggers who are critical of the president that got tried in the senate. Then a website rappler was antagonized by the government for its stance against the president. Even the Catholic Church is not safe. The church is against extra judicial killing and the president is publicly hurling insults at them.
         
         And did I mentioned how a lot of journalist died lately.

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      Mamertoposted 5 years agoin reply to this

      Yes psycheskinner. I live in the Philippines and the freedom of expressions are troubled here.

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         psycheskinnerposted 5 years agoin reply to this

         Then you might want to look into using a more securely anonymous platform for that kind of material.  Not to say Hubpages is not secure in the general sense of the word, but I don't know how any content site would hold up to determined hackers. Perhaps an ebook might work better than a webpage?

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            Mamertoposted 5 years agoin reply to this

            Thanks again! As for hackers we don't have to worry about them. It is a well known fact that lot of the die hard political trolls in the Philippines are stupid and who knows if they can operate an MS word. Some can't even speak proper English.  But then I will consider using a secured platform just to be sure.

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   Marie Flintposted 5 years ago

   Maybe you could find your voice with a piece of fiction. Make the setting and place imaginary, but you've got plenty of real material for your plot. You could place it on Letterpile, perhaps or even let it turn into a novel.

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      Mamertoposted 5 years agoin reply to this

      Thanks Marie! I'll try that. The great thing about the online political trolls in the Philippines is that they are extremely clueless. An allegorical fiction will get pass their shallow minds.

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   Bede le Venerableposted 5 years ago

   What if you wrote “An Open-Letter to President Duterte”? Maybe start out, “Dear Mr. President, I have the utmost respect and love for you…” Mention several things that you like. Then without any antagonism, go through a list of 5 ways to improve his leadership of the country. If the tone is friendly, you should be safe. If you get in trouble, blame it on Bede.

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      Mamertoposted 5 years agoin reply to this

      Unfortunately someone already done that but his army of overly stupid trolls got offended and mobbed the page. But then a friendly criticism won't be enough to endanger your life here. Thanks for the tip!

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   Chris Tylerposted 5 years ago

   Okay, just a fair bit of warning: If you're actually in the Philippines, you may want to rethink publicly criticizing the Government. I don't know what free speech laws exits in your country, but from articles I've read, you'd be heading into some pretty dangerous territory there.

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      Mamertoposted 5 years agoin reply to this

      You're right. Being a critic here has a fair share of risks. I was advised to use a pen name and be constructive so my work won't reach the senate hearing.Thanks Chris!

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         Chris Tylerposted 5 years agoin reply to this

         A pen name is fine, but IP addresses are easy enough to track for anyone who is so inclined. I'd advise using a VPN and/or maybe a public computer as well.

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            Mamertoposted 5 years agoin reply to this

            I will and thanks again!

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   Ladymermaidposted 5 years ago

   An article on a sensitive topic written with a twist of humor may be more likely to stay live. Also insure that you stay out of the slander arena and you should be okay. I just did a political one myself and debated writing it but felt I had to. I have another already written that needs to go live on this profile which Hubpages said would be okay so hoping to get that moved over this week. Good luck with your article.

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      Mamertoposted 5 years agoin reply to this

      And thanks for the advise!

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