Subscribe in a reader | Subscribe by Email Following up on his earlier wish, the new information minister now plans to meet bloggers! Some of the things he said:
The alternative media, like bloggers, play a role in nation building.
Sometimes, they can bring about a negative effect but it is mostly positive.
He dismissed the view that bloggers sided with the Opposition, saying that the bloggers only expressed their personal opinion. “Bloggers are individuals and they have differing opinions. I cannot say that they are all Opposition. Sometimes, they are seen to support the Opposition but sometimes they criticise the Opposition too,” he said.
The question of controlling bloggers does not arise.
The public went to the Internet to gain real-time information, instead of relying on government-run, private or even foreign-run television news stations
Asked if his ministry would invite bloggers who appeared to be aligned to parties other than BN, Ahmad Shabery said: “We have to be realistic and sincere. Their views may differ from us. “They are individuals with a new set of ideals. If there is something newsworthy, I don’t see anything wrong in them posting it.
Not sure what the blogging community’s response will be on the proposed meeting. Most of the prominent bloggers are well known, so there’s nothing much in trying to expose identities. The ministers would have meant socio-political bloggers – which should number in the hundreds. There are many more bloggers who talks about cross-section of things, so in reality, we can be looking at thousands of bloggers! Perhaps some sort of incentive would be given (hosting discount, free domain registration etc) which will require some sort of registration involving personal information. Now, THAT will certainly put off the bloggers.
One way the minister can help is to push for Freedom of Information Act so that the bloggers (and public) can check things out easily.
Would I want to meet the minister? I’ll wait and see what the agenda is.
Shabery to hear out bloggers
KUALA LUMPUR: The Government will not control bloggers but will consider their views as well. That is the assurance given by newly-appointed Information Minister Datuk Ahmad Shabery Cheek, who is planning a meeting with the blogging community “in the next few weeks to hear them out”.
“The alternative media, like bloggers, play a role in nation building. It is the most direct and simple channel for people to voice their opinions. Sometimes, they can bring about a negative effect but it is mostly positive.”
Shabery said some had overlooked the significance played by bloggers, who could now form their own personal broadcast centres via their websites.
He dismissed the view that bloggers sided with the Opposition, saying that the bloggers only expressed their personal opinion. “Bloggers are individuals and they have differing opinions. I cannot say that they are all Opposition. Sometimes, they are seen to support the Opposition but sometimes they criticise the Opposition too,” he said.
On whether the Government would enforce some control on the blogging community, Shabery said they would not do so. “The question of controlling bloggers does not arise. As the saying goes, you can lead a horse to water but you can’t make it drink,” he said.
Asked if there was a message that he would pass to the bloggers in the meeting, Shabery said: “It is better that I be a listener first”.
To a question whether the mainstream media had lost its credibility and relevance due to laws governing the media, he said that the rise of blogs was a global trend, adding that this, however, did not mean that people had sidelined the media.
“No matter how free the mainstream media is (from government control), like in the USA, UK and Australia, it is still subject to the standpoint of their respective media (organisation) heads. So, people will still seek alternative news,” he said.
Meeting with bloggers high on the agenda
KUALA LUMPUR: Newly appointed Information Minister Datuk Ahmad Shabery Cheek wants to meet bloggers to better understand their role in nation-building.
Ahmad Shabery, speaking at his first press conference at the ministry yesterday, said he would place the meeting at the top of his agenda, as requested by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.
“In a few weeks, we will invite all the bloggers to meet to better understand their sentiments and give them an avenue to express themselves,” he said.
Ahmad Shabery said the government had come to recognise the role of alternative media such as the Internet and blogs, which enjoyed freedom of expression and had a large following. “This was evident in the run-up to the general election. The public went to the Internet to gain real-time information, instead of relying on government-run, private or even foreign-run television news stations,” he said, in reference to the middle-class majority who appeared to have cast protest votes against the Barisan Nasional government. This is also happening in the United States presidential race.”
Asked if his ministry would invite bloggers who appeared to be aligned to parties other than BN, Ahmad Shabery said: “We have to be realistic and sincere. Their views may differ from us. “They are individuals with a new set of ideals. If there is something newsworthy, I don’t see anything wrong in them posting it.”
He said the ministry would also review television news content to cater for all types of viewers, especially the vernacular groups.”While we will continue with the policies of the previous administration, we will be more transparent and open to changes in our bid to improve on any weaknesses.”
