Bloggers should always write the truth

The Star

Thursday April 19, 2007

Dr M: Bloggers should always write the truth

PUTRAJAYA: Blogs are relevant because they are another source of information and different from that provided by the mainstream media, but bloggers should be responsible on what they highlight, said Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

The former prime minister said bloggers should not tell lies and untruths, and because there were no laws governing them, their freedom to write anything could negatively affect the development of the country.

“Although bloggers are not subject to the same laws governing the mainstream media, they should write the truth all the same.

“I believe there should be press freedom but there should be a certain amount of limit to ensure that the information provided does not destroy the country,” he told reporters here after opening the Perdana Leadership Foundation's sixth discourse series titled “Media and National Development” yesterday.

On the planned registration of bloggers by the Government, Dr Mahathir said it was similar to licensing of the mainstream media.

He said it was good, provided it is not used to threaten bloggers when they write the truth.

Dr Mahathir also apologised to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi for accusing him of owning a house in Perth, Australia.

He said he got carried away when he mentioned it at a talk in Kulai, Johor, on March 29 recently and added it was based on a rumour.

He was responding after web portal Malaysia Today's Raja Petra Kamaruddin pointed out to him at yesterday's press conference that through an independent search, it was discovered that the house belonged to the wife of a prominent Malaysian businessman.