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KUALA TERENGGANU: The Prime Minister has issued a warning – those who spread untruths and slander on the Internet will face the law.

If information in blogs, websites and online portals were incorrect, bordered on slander, caused disturbance or compelled the public to lose faith in the nation’s economic policies, their authors would be detained for investigation, said Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.

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The government is going to study if the 1984 Printing Presses and Publications Act should be amended to include electronic and Internet media. These new forms of media were not around when the act was formulated, and some have accused it of having double standards, or outdated. The act also requires media to obtain a license that must be renewed annually.

Although the act being studied does not mean it is going to be change, this brings the freedom of the internet as a medium here in Malaysia under threat. Think not just of the potential of censoring online media as how the press has been censored, but think of potential discouragement for foreign investments here.

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“Technology and media have changed but whether it is the blog or the Internet, there are laws to protect against invasion of privacy and slander,” he told newsmen after opening the 15th Asian Media Information and Communication Centre annual conference.

He said civil suits had been taken against bloggers or blog owners for disseminating inaccurate information.

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Q1) Do you think blogs are credible sources of information?
Yes : 34 per cent
No : 66 per cent

Q2) Should the Government impose rules on bloggers to govern them and monitor their postings?
Yes : 57 per cent
No : 43 per cent

Q3) Should bloggers reveal their true identities to ensure credibility?
Yes : 36 per cent
No : 64 per cent

Source: Malay Mail

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Blogger, you are been monitor. On 25th July, Deputy Information Minister Datuk Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said the internet media included websites and blogs should refer to the mainstream media for news and resources. Ooopppsss…

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