On April 4, Sparkle GMA Artist Center defended Asia’s Multimedia Star Alden Richards from his digitally altered nude photos circulating online.
Sparkle released an official statement regarding the nude photo, clarifying that the digitally modified photo came from one of Alden’s posts on his social media account.
“It has come to our attention that a photo of our artist, Mr. Alden Richards, appearing to be unclothed, is circulating online.
“We wish to inform the public that the said photo is fake and digitally alterted using a picture that Mr. Richards posted on social media account months ago.”
They also condemned the perpetrators of the malicious activity against their artist and vowed to seek legal counsel regarding the incident.
“Mr. Richards is a role model for many people, and we strongly condemn perpetrators of malicious activities related to our artists, including the spreading of groundless information and defamation.
“GMA strongly denounces criminal use of social media. We will be seeking legal recourse against those involved in the posting of sharing of this fake photo as well as those posting libelous comments on said photo.
“We all need to guard against fake news, so we urge the public to think before they click.”
The said photo became a part of online showbiz gossipmonger Xian Gaza’s April Fools Day entry.
Gaza even posted his supposed legal defense after Sparkle released their official statement.
“Kapag inedit mo ang larawan ng isang tao at ginawa itong malaswa na hubo’t hubad, it will fall under defamation. The burden of proof is with the prosecution. Kailangan nilang mapatunayan na ikaw mismo ang nag-edit nito by conducting a digital forensics sa mobile phone, iPad or computer mo.
“Kapag naman nakatanggap ka ng fake nude photo tapos pinakalat mo ito, it will fall under defamation. The burden of proof is with the prosecution. Kailangan nilang mapatunayan na pinakalat mo ito by conducting a digital forensics sa mga gadgets, messaging apps and social media accounts mo.
“Kapag pinost mo sa Facebook yung fake nude photo na hubo’t hubad including the digitally altered genitalia, it will automatically fall under defamation. But without the genitalia, it is not libellous at all. Unless sabihin mo sa caption na mayroon kang nude photo ni plaintiff at nagtanong ka kung sino ang gusto mapasahan nito.”
To date, Gaza deleted the post containing the digitally altered photo from his Facebook page.
