Don't trust blogs, Malaysian minister tells press Agence France-Presse
March 21, 2007
KUALA LUMPUR--A Malaysian minister has told domestic newspapers not to quote from Internet blogs or use them as sources of information, accusing the websites of spreading rumors, reports said Wednesday.
Information Minister Zainuddin Maidin said most websites were aimed at being provocative and were run by frustrated journalists and political pundits, the Star daily reported.
"Do not quote them because you are disgracing yourself as you are the authority. Do not give credit to such anarchist websites," Zainuddin was quoted as saying.
Malaysia's media is kept under tight control, while blogs have seen an increase in popularity as Malaysians take to cyberspace to discuss politics and social issues.
Blogs run by Malaysians in recent months have alleged corruption by government figures in writings that later sparked mainstream news reports.
"The information posted on the blog website may be something provocative, politically motivated, inaccurate and is mostly rumor floated for the interests of certain parties," Zainuddin was quoted as saying by the state Bernama news agency.
The minister also called on Malaysians to regard blogs with suspicion and refer to the mainstream media for the truth, Bernama reported.
Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi earlier this year accused Malaysians of using the Internet to rumor-monger.
Two bloggers are currently being sued by the government-linked New Straits Times Press for defamation.
