Mainstream Media Told To Deflect Internet Rumours

Bernama.com Dec 3rd, 2006

TEMERLOH, Dec 2 -- The mainstream media should play a role in deflecting wild allegations and slanders spread through the internet and blogs, Deputy Information Minister Datuk Zahid Hamidi said.

Ahmad Zahid said the mainstream media including the official government media should provide the correct explanation about allegations spread through the internet or blogs, especially if the allegations were targetted at the government and its policies.

"(This is because) not all the information (and slanders) spread through internet or blogs are accurate," he told reporters here last night.

"We do not want the public to be deceived by inaccurate information including those that are slanderous."

He said in the era of information and communication technology (ICT), it was impossible to curb the bloggers or to stop them from spreading lies through the internet.

He added that the public were still gullible and could be easily influenced by the inaccurate information they obtained from the internet.

Ahmad Zahid also advised bloggers to be ethnical and responsible in their writings.

"They should have ethics ... everyone have ethics and self-respect. We hope the bloggers will also have ethics and self respect," he said.

Earlier, he launched the Lanchang Carnival 2006 here. The highlights of the event include entertainment show, exhibitions put up by government agencies and food sales.