To blog ,or not to blog , that is the Question

Blogging has become a trend not only to the X and Y Generations but also to the baby boomers. This is the channel that they can voice out their opinion in the public. However, under the Malaysia Communications and Multimedia Act of 1998, the internet content must be regulated and controlled where provided a clear prohibited in the publication contents (Bernama 2008). Furthermore, OpenNet 2007 (cited in The Star 2006) reported that our Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi in August 2006 asserted that “bloggers who publish seditious, malicious or defamatory content will be reported to the police.

Two years ago, a student who is studying in Taiwan , name- Namewee who rapped the National Anthem “Negarakuku” and posted it to YouTube has made a big issue in the country. Yet he said that he wanted to contribute to 50th Merdeka Anniversary but he used the wrong way to express it. Although we have the freedom of speeches, there is always a limit for it. Furthermore, Namewee posted the video clip in YouTube where easily can be shared .This is because according to Birkerts (1994), web contents travel along from one network to another through hyperlink. Kress and van Leeuwen (2006) theories applies where text and images exhibit multimodality. This is also further elaborate in Schriver’s (1997, p.166) theories where use both visual and verbal language can easily connect with the ‘readers knowledge, experience, beliefs and values’. If just the visual of his clips, it would not show a meaning for it but when with his lyrics, it is defaming the country.

However, there are still lots more of issues such as the recent one Raja Petra issues. Therefore, in order to avoid this kind of situations, UiTM may introduce courses for blogging to train bloggers in a more professional and ethical way (The Star 2008).OpenNet 2007 (cited in The Star 2006) reported that the Prime Minister said that the 'government will not censor the internet bloggers but it is their responsibilities'. However, according to the Deputy Energy , Water and Communications Minister Datuk Josehp Salang Gandum affirmed that government has not set up a specialize body to monitor irresponsible bloggers (Bernama 2008). Nielsen (2006) affirms that it is the bloggers responsible to blog because bloggers might write for the future boss. Therefore, for bloggers out there, your destiny is in your hand aware of what sorts of topics you are going to blog.

Reference Lists:


Bernama 2008, ‘No Plans to Set Up Special Body to Monitor Blogs’, May 26 2008, viewed 1st June 2008, < http://www.bernama.com.my/bernama/v3/news.php?id=335412>

Birkerts, S 1994, The Gutenberg Elegies: The Fate of Reading in an Electronic Age, viewed 3rd June 2008 , < http://archives.obs-us.com/obs/english/books/nn/bdbirk.htm>

Kress, G & van Leeuwen,T 2006, Reading Images: The Grammar of Visual Design, 2nd edn, Routledge, New York.

Nielsen, J 2005, ‘Weblog Usability: The Top Ten Design Mistakes’, Jakob Nielsen's Alertbox, October 17, viewed 1st June 2008, <http://www.useit.com/alertbox/weblogs.html>

OpenNet Initiative 2007, ‘Malaysia’ ,May 10 2007, viewed 1st June 2008, <http://opennet.net/research/profiles/malaysia >

Schriver, KA 1997, ‘The interplay of words and pictures’, Dynamics in document design: creating texts for readers, Wiley Computer Pub., New York, Chapter 6, pp. 361-441.

The Star 2008, ‘UiTM may introduce courses related to blogging’, viewed 3rd June 2008, < http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/5/14/nation/21236817&sec=nation >