Expert warns against irresponsible bloggers
By Rosli Abidin Yahya

Activists now turn to the Internet to convey their messages to the outside world as they are unable to do so in a more conventional channel such as word-of-mouth.

An information communication technology (ICT) expert said the Internet offers immense potential as it is a global medium that can be controlled by the activists directly.

"As conventional medium normally does not give them proper space, activists now turn to the Internet via blogs.

"Blogs provide a new and unregulated medium for them. Some people believe that the anonymity of blogs makes it parti-cularly attractive for activists," he said.

The expert, who was in the country recently to train the staff of a local company, said a blog is an ideal avenue for political pundits and wannabes as well as writers in search of a channel to express their thoughts.

However, like all media, blogs have the potential for abuse, he warned.

On the hand, he said, it should not be ignored that there are bloggers who act as the "voices of the voiceless" such as the marginalised and the underprivileged.

Given this scenario, he said, blogs can create confusions or problems among Internet users.

He added that a conference on blogs and other related materials will be organised in the near future.

The conference will give an overview of the latest evolution in communication modes in both print and electronic media, gauge how far new media technologies can help to strengthen participatory democracy in societies, instil social responsibility among Internet users, encourage debate among stakeholders on the emerging trend of suppressing the rights to openly discuss public matters, and foster the development of a well-informed citizenry.

Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin