New info czar dines with bloggers
Gabrielle ChongPublished: Apr 24, 2009 2:55 AM | Updated: Apr 24, 2009 11:11 AM
In a move to engage the New Media, some 50 prominent socio-political bloggers were treated to a dinner at Restoran Seri Melayu by Information, Communication, Arts and Culture Minister Rais Yatim on Wednesday.
According to a ministry official, Rais wanted to use the opportunity to ‘get friendly with the bloggers’.
In a move to engage the New Media, some 50 prominent socio-political bloggers were treated to a dinner at Restoran Seri Melayu by Information, Communication, Arts and Culture Minister Rais Yatim on Wednesday.
According to a ministry official, Rais wanted to use the opportunity to ‘get friendly with the bloggers’.
Ironically, the media, including Malaysiakini, were barred from covering the event without reason, despite the fact that some of the bloggers who attended the function had blogged about it.
Among the bloggers who attended were A Kadir Jasin, Ahiruddin ‘Rockybru’ Atan, Ruhanie Ahmad, Ibrahim Yahya, Nuraina Samad and Syed Akbar Ali – all of whom are considered to be pro-establishment.
There was a conspicuous absence of bloggers who were critical towards the Barisan Nasional government.
During the dinner, Rais (left) stated: “One of my friends told me that there were no less than 5,000 serious bloggers in the country voicing out their opinions on various issues.”
“Some of them have even stopped writing for the mainstream media to concentrate on full-time blogging. Among these bloggers are our own children, undergraduate students and lecturers, who form the most critical members of our society,” he added.
He appealed to his guests to give credit to the government when credit was due, especially when the government implemented good policies.
In addition, he noted that there should be no disputes about the legitimacy of laws that have been established to regulate media and communications in the country, especially the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission Act 1998.
Law will be invoked as a last resort
Nevertheless, he also acknowledged: “Still, we will strive to use our intellect to answer those questions that are raised in these (critical) socio-political blogs, rather than to resort to these laws all the time.”
He added that these laws would not be utilised as long as bloggers were serious and ethical in their writing.
“There are certain rules and tactics for blogging which are a long part of our culture as Malays and Muslims. One of these is the reporting of facts which are fair and true, and not resort to slander and defamation.
“It is important that prominent bloggers remain credible, because their critique is accepted by the masses,” he added.
He concluded that the dinner had been hosted to mark the government’s support for a new culture that would contribute to the nation’s development.
One blog, simply known as Warisan2057, commended Rais’ efforts to befriend the bloggers.
“Rais has admitted the crucial role that bloggers play in Malaysian politics. He also noted that the print media realises that its readers are decreasing by the day, while Malaysian youths are increasingly engrossed with the cyber world,” said the blogger.
“Rais also explained that his ministry will pay close attention to the events in Malaysian blogosphere. Otherwise, his ministry will become obsolete. Nevertheless, it will be a challenge for Rais to reform the almost 50 departments under his ministry,” added the blogger.
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According to a ministry official, Rais wanted to use the opportunity to ‘get friendly with the bloggers’.
Ironically, the media, including Malaysiakini, were barred from covering the event without reason, despite the fact that some of the bloggers who attended the function had blogged about it.
Among the bloggers who attended were A Kadir Jasin, Ahiruddin ‘Rockybru’ Atan, Ruhanie Ahmad, Ibrahim Yahya, Nuraina Samad and Syed Akbar Ali – all of whom are considered to be pro-establishment.There was a conspicuous absence of bloggers who were critical towards the Barisan Nasional government.
During the dinner, Rais (left) stated: “One of my friends told me that there were no less than 5,000 serious bloggers in the country voicing out their opinions on various issues.”
“Some of them have even stopped writing for the mainstream media to concentrate on full-time blogging. Among these bloggers are our own children, undergraduate students and lecturers, who form the most critical members of our society,” he added.
He appealed to his guests to give credit to the government when credit was due, especially when the government implemented good policies.
In addition, he noted that there should be no disputes about the legitimacy of laws that have been established to regulate media and communications in the country, especially the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission Act 1998.
Law will be invoked as a last resort
Nevertheless, he also acknowledged: “Still, we will strive to use our intellect to answer those questions that are raised in these (critical) socio-political blogs, rather than to resort to these laws all the time.”
He added that these laws would not be utilised as long as bloggers were serious and ethical in their writing.
“There are certain rules and tactics for blogging which are a long part of our culture as Malays and Muslims. One of these is the reporting of facts which are fair and true, and not resort to slander and defamation.
“It is important that prominent bloggers remain credible, because their critique is accepted by the masses,” he added.He concluded that the dinner had been hosted to mark the government’s support for a new culture that would contribute to the nation’s development.
One blog, simply known as Warisan2057, commended Rais’ efforts to befriend the bloggers.
“Rais has admitted the crucial role that bloggers play in Malaysian politics. He also noted that the print media realises that its readers are decreasing by the day, while Malaysian youths are increasingly engrossed with the cyber world,” said the blogger.
“Rais also explained that his ministry will pay close attention to the events in Malaysian blogosphere. Otherwise, his ministry will become obsolete. Nevertheless, it will be a challenge for Rais to reform the almost 50 departments under his ministry,” added the blogger.
[Video]
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