To blog or not to blog?

What does one do when one's freedom is stiffled? Well, Malaysian bloggers and cell phone users better get used to this. As the Malaysian government headed by Pak Lah has issued a warning to both technology users yesterday of the consequences of spreading untruths.

"If information in blogs, websites and online portals were incorrect, bordered on slander, caused disturbance or compelled the public to lose faith in the nation’s economic policies, their authors would be detained for investigation", said Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.

Compelling the public to lose faith in the nation's economic policies? What is he trying to say? I think (a thought does not constitute to untruth as it is purely an opinion) he is referring to the NEP or rather from hearsay the revised version of it. So, the NEP is controversial. It steps on everyone's tail and yet no one can shout "Pain!". Well, I have my own thoughts on it. I will not share it here. Meet me at a coffee shop or when I am drunk and I will tell you. In that case what I say would only be empty talks.

The importance of blogs and the information it contains is immeasurable. Most of us, even those who are late adoptors of IT would find it useful to disseminate information of any sort. I prefer if the government teaches the younger generation and reeducate the rest to be responsible when using the Internet and other information technologies.

"If you are working as a journalist, you are getting a professional description of an event. But if you're looking at the blogosphere, it is very personal notes and personal pictures they are showing -- the human side of any conflict," he said.

This quote was taken from CNN.com. It carried contrasting headlines compared to Malaysia's The Star. But in the end it all talked about the responsibility of a blogger. Both talked about cell phones which enable users disseminate information whether authentic or otherwise but they end up on differing views.

"Now imagine a new technology like SMS, MMS [multimedia messaging service] and the Internet. It is possible to build friendships over the borders of the countries and that is important for the future," Sundelof said.

Abdullah also said that those who sent out such information via short message system (SMS) would also be held accountable.

So, the former sounds very lofty while the latter too restrictive. What to do now? If you are an advocate of world peace continue texting and blogging to bridge the gap while half the world is battling with another half. If you are a obedient citizen then keep your mouth shut, treat your verbal or blogging diarrhea with some carbon pills and antibiotics!

ps: all information gathered from the Internet unless proven authentic should be taken with a pinch of salt. laugh over it and leave it in cyberspace. same goes to weird and hilarious text messages. there is no need to blame anyone. after all, an insecure person wil write a provocative entry in a blog against christianity and so will another insecure person rebut it.