The Malaysian Insider yesterday in an article "Government to target blogosphere next", here, said the government reached a sober assessment that it could all end in tears for the Barisan Nasional at the next general election if tough action is not taken to counter allegations on the Net and hold owners of blogs accountable. This conclusion was reached during a meeting last week involving several Cabinet ministers and senior government officials.
With the recent arrests and subsequent release of bloggers Bakaq a.k.a Penarik Beca and Raja Petra Kamarudin, it is believed that the government has begun a crackdown and will now come down hard on bloggers. This follows a disturbing worldwide trend as reported by a World Information Access (WIA) study project at the University of Washington, here, that since 2003, 64 citizens unaffiliated with news organizations have been arrested for their blogging activities in several countries which include Malaysia and the United States. The WIA report also predicts more arrests in 2008. (See table summarizing global blogger arrests below).
(Click on table to enlarge)
There are sufficient provisions in our laws for anyone aggrieved by blogger posting to sue for defamation, libel etc.
ReplyDeleteBut the unilaterlal action by the MCMC in blocking our RPK's MalaysiaToday smacks of fear, high-handedness and a renegation of the promise by Dr.M that there will be no censorship in the internet.
It is the same mentality that will not let go of the ISA,OSA,PPA and Restricted Banishment Order and other repressive laws which have, and are being, applied Unconstitutionally.
This is the Fahrenheit 451, 1984 & Brave New World of Big Brother and self-appointed dictators.
We must not let this go unchallenged!!
http://donplaypuks.blogspot.com
Dang! Time to disguise the PC to look like the WC.
ReplyDeleteI hear they don't arrest people in toilets.
salam uncle captain, tk tau la uncle pernah ke sini http://jebatmustdie.wordpress.com/
ReplyDelete, apa pandangan uncle..
ws
hanitha:
ReplyDeleteInteresting blog but not my cupper tea.