A keen eye on GE bloggers, but touch gets lighter
Loh Chee Kong
[email protected]
NOT a single blogger faces any Government action for postings
during the recent General Election and yes, even the Minister for
Information, Communications and The Arts enjoyed the popular
podcast that spoofed the James Gomez saga.
.
In fact the Government, which placed restrictions on online
political content, will review its policies and could adopt "a
lighter touch" during the next election, said Dr Lee Boon Yang.
Nonetheless, he felt that policing of new media such as podcasts
was necessary "to keep the electoral process on an even
keel".
.
At the annual PR Academy conference yesterday, Dr Lee told
reporters: "We have no cause to take any action on anybody
You
don't go around with a heavy hammer knocking everybody, just for
the slightest infringement. We look at the consequences and we look
at the intent."
.
Conceding that the jury is still out on whether the Government was
right in its cautious approach, Dr Lee said: "While podcasts and
videocasts for political advertisements were disallowed during the
election period, political parties were able to make their presence
felt in cyberspace by making good use of their websites to
publicise their programmes. This was on top of the ample coverage
given by the mainstream media."
.
He said that during his campaigning, a friend sent him the podcast
created by bloggers mr brown and Mr Miyagi that poked fun at the
James Gomez incident. "I enjoyed it too and had a good laugh," said
Dr Lee.
.
Calling it symptomatic of the Internet, he added: "I must
congratulate mr brown
for his funny and clever work
(but) while
podcasts can be very entertaining, it would be dangerous if
important decisions such as electing representatives to Parliament
were based on which side can make the most funny video or podcast."
While he accepted the argument that a free flow of information
would allow people to form their own opinion, Dr Lee said it was
valid only if the information was reliable and accurate.
.
"I think those of you who are familiar with the Internet would
agree that there are many people who use their websites and blogs
to put out malicious and false information in order to further
their own agendas. It may not be easy to sort out the enlightening
from the confusing which ought to be destined for the trash
can."
.
Among the malicious postings there were those that claimed that Mr
Zaqy Mohamad was selected as a new People's Action Party candidate
only because he was a nephew of the Speaker of Parliament Abdullah
Tarmugi. In fact, the two are not related.
.
Said Dr Lee: "Such stories might be completely untrue but how do we
rebut it on the Internet and get a correction carried on hundreds
of blogs, bulletins and chatrooms which rapidly propagated such
lies?"
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Nonetheless, Dr Lee said the Government fully understood the mood
among the youth who see blogging as their right.
.
"We have adopted a light touch approach in dealing with the
everyday use of the Internet. We will continue to do so and accept
that the Internet and new media will remain largely a free-for-all.
However during the election period when such free-for-all may
result in undesirable situations, we cannot take a completely
hands-off approach."
.
During the recent GE, the Singapore Democratic Party was the only
one served a notice to take down a podcast. No action was taken
against anyone else. But while there may be a loosening on the
political front, no one who causes racial tension will be
spared.
.
"The Government will not compromise its position," said Dr Lee. "We
will not risk the precious racial and religious harmony which
underpins Singapore's stability and progress."
