The government must control the internet and websites to curb the spread of rumours and news that can harm racial unity in the country, said Information Minister Zainuddin Maidin today.

He said he agreed with Deputy Internal Security Minister Fu Ah Kiow that stern warning must be issued and action taken against rumour-mongers for causing problems to the extent of disturbing public order.

The control was not to muzzle press freedom but to stop the spread of news based on rumours, articles and features with racial undertones, he added

"In one aspect, the control on media content will boost credibility of a website as the people will know the news published was accurate and no longer based on rumours," he was quoted as saying by Bernama .

Crime stories

Zainuddin said so long the mainstream media was not involved in publishing rumours and articles that are seditious in nature, the people would not be influenced or take seriously what was posted on the Internet.

The minister also slammed the media for often publishing crime stories as important news with sensational reports merely to sell the newspapers or to boost viewers' rating for a particular television programme.

"If we do so, we are indirectly portraying a picture that our country is not safe, with a high crime rate and this will bring adverse effects to our economy and tarnish the image of our country," he said.

At one time, news on murders and recovery of bodies were rarely published with gruesome pictures, but nowadays some newspapers were boldly printing such photographs without realising it was against journalism ethics, he added.