SINGAPORE: Blogs, or Web Logs, are electronic replacements for
the good old pen-and-paper diary.
But the similarities end there.
While a diary can only be read by its author, a blog can be read by
anyone anywhere.
One Singaporean scholar recently got into hot soup for making
allegedly racist comments.
Now, Channel NewsAsia found out that another Singaporean blogger,
studying in the United States, has had to pull off his blog.
The ex-scholar, pursuing his Masters in the States, has shut down
his blog after apparently being threatened with legal action.
Lawyers say bloggers need to understand they can be sued for
comments in cyberspace.
Blogs are popular ways for the internet community to express their
thoughts online.
But Chen Jiahao, a Singaporean studying in the United States, might
have taken it too far.
He allegedly criticised the Agency for Science, Technology and
Research (A*STAR)'s scholarship system, in his blogs.
The former Public Service Commission scholar is said to have
criticised some of its policies requiring scholars to meet certain
standards.
Chen claimed he was threatened with legal action, in emails from
A*STAR's chairman Philip Yeo.
But A*Star has not confirmed or denied the incident.
It told Channel NewsAsia that its chairman was away until June 7
and could not give a camera interview.
The blog was shut down last month.
In its place is a note from Chen, under his blog name of AcidFlask,
apologizing for making remarks "which Mr Yeo felt were defamatory
to him and A*Star".
He also promised not to mention the agency or Mr Yeo by name again
at the website.
Lawyers say bloggers need to be aware that they need to be
responsible for what they say online.
"I think that if the writings in the blog were indeed defamatory,
then the person who has been defamed can actually take legal action
against the blogger. In other words, he can be sued," said Gilbert
Leong, a partner at Rodyk & Davidson. - CNA/ir