I can understand the dangers I might be treading on here but the Internet to me is freedom of speech while I’m normally a responsible writer and don’t take actions that could threaten myself. Therefore, in this case it is my personal opinion of why I feel the Internet industry in Malaysia is still slow especially in its content area.
In The Star today, there was an article titled; Don’t quote websites, says Zam. It’s about our current Information Minister advising the newspaper media to not quote websites (or even weblogs) of their content because they are made by “frustrated journalists or frustrated in politics” and that’s a direct quote.
But what really caught my attention and struck a note with me is the closing of the article when the Information Minister said this:
He (Information Minister) also urged the Government to instil a sense of responsibility among website writers instead of limiting freedom on the Internet.
“If the Government can educate the newspapers to be responsible, it can also do the same to the websites by law or whatever way.”
“I’m not asking for them to be banned but there should be some control over the websites,†he said.
It’s really a waste of breath and time when you try to barricade the online activities by a degree of law. If you did that in the Internet, it merely creates a larger rebellion and not supporters of the idea.
As long as I’ve been using the Internet the past 12 years or so, I’ve noticed what we really need is the education. There’s a writer in everyone trying to come out but because there is no guide, they end up doing it their own way.
If the government really wants to solve this issue of low or bogus content in our local Internet sphere, they need to start thinking of methods to educate everyone who use the Internet especially bloggers.
What training or education topics do you think would help bloggers?
Why anyone bothers about what the government and politicians say beats me. Their utterings are as useful and welcome as dandruff. In any case what’s so interesting and ultimately valuable about the Internet is that – for the first time in history (and herstory, don’t forget your mamas and grandmamas!) – a species of democracy is becoming a distinct possibility. A single, determined individual with access to the worldwideweb can reach thousands, perhaps even millions, and he or she doesn’t have to be related to Rupert Murdoch or Vincent Tan. True, lots of bloggers are grotesquely lacking in communication skills – but this is one medium where even somebody whose English is slightly offbeat can articulate their thoughts and feelings, and do so in an entertaining manner. Look at 5XMom – she really knows how to express herself in her Penang Manglish. That’s why she’s got an impressive fan club! And there’s no limit to what people blog about: it can be about their cat, their kids, their sexual fantasies, or their new car or iPhone or whatever – this uncontrolled variety is what makes the virtual world every bit as complex and fascinating as the so-called Real World!
Welcome to my blog, Antares.
Your comment is really fascinating in the view of not just the Internet but in political value too.
It’s good to see someone like yourself accepting the view and timeless flow of life around us.
Cheers.
Thanks, bro! Just began blogging in December 2006 and already hooked. Appreciate your visit and kind words. Started another blog in March, a commercial one – let’s see if it catches a few fat fish, ha ha ha! :-)
Check it out: http://antares-secretscience.blogspot.com