The Star SMS alert at 6:32pm.
Info Minister Zainuddin welcomes drafting of constituition by National Alliance of Bloggers, but wants bloggers classified as pros or amateurs.
According to ZAM, his definition of professional bloggers were those who were more responsible in ensuring that their web content was based on the truth and not rumours.
"We have to control this. It is feared that these (blog sites) will be misused by those who have an agenda to spread slander. By right, there should be a mechanism to control this phenomenon, including by classifying web bloggers as professionals and non-professionals.
If I read ZAM correctly, does that mean non-professional or amateurs bloggers are allowed to to spread rumours and anything else but truth?
Meanwhile, ZAM is so feared of bloggers that he is worried that blogs as new alternative media might force the closure of newspapers, subsequently denying rural people access to information with the limited internet penetration?
Shield? What do I mean by shield? I mean taking rural people as his shield, as the major obstacle and huge excuse to deny the influence of alternative media?
It’s proven that through his latest statement, it doesn’t matter for him to be an international laughing stock, as long as he maintain the status-quo.
BTW, for your information, ZAM is a former Utusan editor-turned-politician.
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How can we differentiate between bloggers who are "more responsible" and "those that their web content was based on truth and not rumours"? The criteria given by Zam too subjective to be considered seriously. Who defines "responsibility" and who differentiates between rumours and truth? Does the mainstream media always give us the truth? Or do they practise offering us halh-truths with an agenda of their own?
Doctors, engineers and lawyers become professionals when they pass certain examinations. Where do the bloggers stand here?
Zam will do well to remember that as a minister he should not create ambiguity by suggesting subjective standards. His stand reflects that of the government.
At this stage of development, it would do well to let the bloggers handle their own affairs. It is already a positive development for the bloggers to form their own alliance and set some of their own rules to govern the behaviour of their members.
No, Zam. Let the bloggers be at this moment. There may come a time in future when the alliance may sit down with the authorities to work out some loose agreement. But till the right time comes, just let them be.
Seriously, I think we need to classify instead professional and amateur minister considering that we have so many so-called minister speaking with foot in their mouth.
As far as Zam is concerned, he is strictly classified as AMATEUR. He is lucky he does not stand in my contituency.
Maybe Zam will propose later that he be appointed the Alliance’s advisor so that he can help them classy who should be considered a professional and who should be labelled an amateur! :)
jeff thinks he is not a professional blogger. does it mean that he is inclined to spread lies and slanders? zam thinks he is a professional journalist. does it mean that he has never lie and spin in his articles before?
your take, mr zam2. still wondering how you manage to get the TOKOH award!
[...] suggested that Malaysian bloggers be categorised into professional and amateur bloggers. Taken from SK Thew’s blog (’cos I malas to read news on actual news sites unless very necessary), We have to control [...]