Coincidentally, in the columns section of NST, 2 articles written appeared to be in favor of the establishment of internet.

First, it’s by Brian Yap, a writer at Klue magazine asked: Why fight a losing battle to control the internet?

Accuracy and credibility are important, but misinformation, bias, inaccuracies aren’t the sole domain of blogs or web sites. I’ve seen mainstream media, both here and abroad, commit either genuine mistakes or blatantly unethical journalism. […]

I would argue that blogs would bring about positive changes, as inaccuracies, whether by other bloggers or by traditional media, can quickly be found out and countered. […]

What’s needed isn’t more censorship or monitoring, but a culture that promotes critical thinking. People should be encouraged to use their heads, not just take wholesale what they are told. […]

Columnist Zainul Arifin also argued and expressed his utmost confidence that Internet is here to stay and there is no way of policing it, so to speak.

As much as the Internet has blown the lid off information control, it has, more importantly, changed the way we do things. From governance to business to social interaction, we have benefited from this technology.

We should embrace the new media like it is our new best friend, and not alienate it.

We should not be throwing the baby out with the bath- water. In fact, the new media should be allowed to prosper.

Even in the most controlled environment — without the Internet or other alternative media — there will be dissenters and mavericks who defy convention.

But, like water, the Internet will soon find its level.

The issue of the Internet is not control or policing but a question of ethics. It requires responsibility from readers, web owners as well as the authorities and, above all, common sense.

Remember, in a think flat society, it’s all about connect and collaborate!

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