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A Malaysian minister has told domestic newspapers not
to quote from Internet blogs or use them as sources of information,
accusing the websites of spreading rumours, reports said Wednesday.
Information Minister Zainuddin
Maidin said most websites were aimed at being provocative and were
run by frustrated journalists and political pundits, the Star daily
reported.
"Do not quote them because
you are disgracing yourself as you are the authority. Do not give
credit to such anarchist websites," Zainuddin was quoted as
saying.
Malaysia's media is kept under
tight control, while blogs have seen an increase in popularity as
Malaysians take to cyberspace to discuss politics and social issues.
Blogs run by Malaysians in recent
months have alleged corruption by government figures in writings
that later sparked mainstream news reports.
"The information posted on
the blog website may be something provocative, politically
motivated, inaccurate and is mostly rumour floated for the interests
of certain parties," Zainuddin was quoted as saying by the
state Bernama news agency.
The minister also called on
Malaysians to regard blogs with suspicion and refer to the
mainstream media for the truth, Bernama reported.
Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad
Badawi earlier this year accused Malaysians of using the Internet to
rumour-monger.
Two bloggers are currently being
sued by the government-linked New Straits Times Press for
defamation.
-- AFP
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