Censorship: Blogging in Malaysia.

Blogs are known as an alternative source of information. Blogs can be defined as online journals. Blogs can also be used for corporate, governmental or private uses. Generally, blogs are full of personal experiences and opinion pieces depending on the administrator. The main concern of the Government about blogs is from the political aspect. People resort to obtaining information from blogs because not everything is reported in the media as it is strictly controlled by the Government.

 

Blogs are considered as good sources of information especially in this new era where the younger generation is more tech-savvy. However, there is always two sides to a coin. There are pros and cons to it but I personally feel that the Government should not impose laws onto blogging. This is the age of the new media where the internet can be an asset or a liability. If used properly, it can be a powerful tool and a gateway to an unlimited access of information, which is the ultimate key to power. However, if the internet is misused or abused, it may cause harm. Like what I believe in, with every action, there is a consequence (be it good or bad, that's up to us).

 

Though I agree that blogs have credibility issues, it is the Government’s fault that the people are turning to alternative media for information because the media is not transparent enough with the people and they cultivate curiosity and hunger for the truth. It is the responsibility of the readers to double check for credibility of the source and the responsibility of the Government to educate the people. Blogs have created controversial issues when it comes to credibility. Because bloggers have caught the attention and concern of the Government, they want to control the alternative media as well which then leads to the question of the rights to having freedom of speech.

 

In the article entitled “Rules of the game have changed” published by the Star Online on July 30,2007, Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Seri Nazri Aziz, “warned that three laws could be used against offending bloggers: the Internal Security Act, the Sedition Act and Section 121b of the Penal Code”. Bloggers felt threatened by the Government and pushed to a certain limit. The Government tried to instill fear into bloggers by imposing these laws. There is no freedom of speech in Malaysia. To a certain extent, everyone is entitled to their own opinion. Just know where our limits are and where we stand.

 

The Government wants to restraint the freedom of blogging in concern to blogs being seditious and being a threat to the Government as well as the peace and harmony of the country. Especially after the recent General Elections, it is speculated that blogs played a major role in the outcome of the elections as the alternative media and it has affected the viewpoint of many voters causing the change in the current elections where the Oppositions gained favour of the people and the government’s position was threatened.

 

In the article entitled “Blogging in Malaysia ranks among highest in the world” which was published by the Star Online, on April 3, 2008, Malaysia is ranked third in the world with 500,000 active bloggers. According to Universiti Malaya media department lecturer, Dr Abu Hassan Hasbullah, “Our research shows that 70% of the election results were influenced by information in the blogs”. People tend to believe what they read or at least it leaves an impression unconsciously.

 

Bloggers now can have a say because they are unconstrained by the traditional barriers faced by the print media. But it is our duty to watch what we put up online because it is our social responsibility. In the article entitled “Dr M: Bloggers should always write the truth” published by the Star Online on April 19, 2007, Dr Mahathir urged bloggers to always post the truth on their blogs because their freedom to write anything could negatively affect the development of the country. It is vital that the truth should be posted up because the information may cause a negative issue to rise. Readers should always check the blogs’ administrators or background to determine the credibility of the source.

 

To be able to grasp what is posted online, I am sure that it goes through a long process of thought. Issues brought up in blogs might be able to provoke thought but I strongly believe that the readers do not just absorb whatever they may read although they might be influenced. Blogs are also a good medium for discussions and debates. It is a medium to share among different pools of thoughts. The reason I believe that readers tend to believe in blogs is because they tend to hold some truth in it. Bloggers may even bring up issues that we know that is going on but never really realised.

 

I feel that it is not right that the Government should put a constraint to blogging because we have every right to express how we feel or think albeit political, domestic or personal issues. The alternative solution to putting blogs under censorship lies in the responsibility of the bloggers and the readers. I do not believe that imposing laws to blogs is the only way. The Government has to educate the readers to check the credibility of their sources and the bloggers to be more socially responsible. 

A whole new agenda

Hi everyone! (if there's anyone actually reading this blog) 

This blog has been abandoned for years! Actually this blog was initially a course requirement (yes, it was a bloody assignment back in Taylor's College when I was still pursuing my Degree. I am now a fresh grad and am already working too) and I have not touched this blog ever since. But I thought that I might probably just keep this blog alive...I have after all a passion for writing and opinion pieces.

So my objective of this blog is also to post up my opinion pieces...those that I have done during college days, during internship on current affairs and also hopefully there will be more opinion pieces to come in future. So far, opinion pieces are more of my forte. Maybe this is because I strongly believe in freedom of expression and there are no boundaries (to whether opinions are right or wrong) but rather, it is debatable. I do like that kind of challenges.

I personally have strong opinions of my own (but  not when it comes to politics) and as a strong believer of 'freedom of speech and expression', I also respect other people's point of view and am open to other people's opinions as well as beliefs. We are of a cultured society, therefore we must know how to think for ourselves...

On another note, I also believe that for every action, there will be a consequence. Be it good or bad. As a 'civilized' society, we must stand firm together, giving support and voicing out our opinions to better understand each other. As the saying goes, "Sharing is caring". We should share everything that we have, which includes our thoughts and feelings.

I believe that blogs are a good way of communicating and expressing...there are no limitations or boundaries to what we write...Personally, to actually monitor everyone's actions and writing is something that is profoundly absurd to me. I think its totally degrading in a way because it shows how little trust 'they' have on us. Not only that, it also shows their weakness...that 'they' are actually afraid of what kind of mentality and reaction we can cultivate. 

Bloggers should stand firm together. Words are a very powerful tool and it is in our own hands. We must not misuse whatever power that we have for it is a bad thing. However, I support and urge everyone to make use of this platform for the well being of man kind. Cultivating the habit of writing and expressing is a very good practice. Whether you do it in a blog or in a journal at home. 

And to conclude all this, I welcome comments and criticism of any form in any of my posts. However, if you don't like what you're reading, you can always leave the page because honestly, no one is forcing you to read my blog. Everyone is entitled to voice out! =)

~Peace Out!~

~RaCh~<3