Blogging Etiquette, New Media Ecosystem, Regulations, Ethical Publishing

Shaddiqe (2010), in a newspaper article discusses the issue of blogging and its ethics, where a 28 year old blogger was arrested by the Malaysian authority for defamation as he insulted the late Sultan of Johor in his website. The readers were then warned not to add defaming and insulting blog posts which have baseless allegations, as authorities are able to crack down bloggers' identities in the Internet. 


This case was similar to the issue of Raja Petra Kamaruddin, the author of Malaysia Today who was arrested in April 2008 twice for sedition on posting a defaming article against current Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak and his wife, Rosmah Mansur on the Altantuya murder. (Charles, 2008) He was then later sentenced under the Internal Security Act 1960 (ISA). 

Source: Sabah Forum

The Sedition Act 1948 is amended to oppose those who publish or speak any forms of discourses in a behaviour of sedition when he speaks against the rulers and their people, as well as to bring up anger and hatred among the Malaysian population (Comissioner of Law Revision Malaysia, 2006). He who will be charged under this act shall be arrested even without trial and be sentenced to imprisonment up to 3 years with a RM 5000 fine. Besides, the offender can also be charged under the Defamation Act 1957 and procedures will be done under Sections 499 to 502 of the Penal Code. (Laweddie.com, 2008)

The act of defamation or insult in the cyber world is an unethical act as it tarnishes the image of somebody. In Malaysia, defamation can be seen into 2 types: 

1. Libel - discourses that are permenant, in online and print publications

2. Slander - discourses that are temporary, such as spoken words or display of offensive gestures.

(Laweddie.com, 2008)

In either ways, both forms of defamation shows disrespect to the victim and it can even cause a public opinion against him. In the socio-political arena, such defamations can be transform in a form of sedition as it is capable on impacting the whole nation, hence it will affect national harmony. 

Keep in mind that we have a responsibility in practising our rights of Freedom of Speech, as our voices speaks about who we are in terms of maturity and at the same time, we were governed by the Law. 

References:

Commissioner of Law Revision Malaysia, 2006, "Sedition Act 1948", viewed June 15, 2010, <http://www.agc.gov.my/agc/Akta/Vol.%201/Act%2015.pdf>

Charles, L 2008, "Raja Petra Quizzed By Police Over Altantuya Article", The Star Online, May 3, viewed June 15, 2010, <http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/5/3/nation/21143389&sec=nation>

Laweddie.com, 2008, "Defamation Law In Malaysia", viewed June 15, 2010, <http://www.laweddie.com/wordpress/defamation-law-in-malaysia>

Shaddiqe, J 2010, "Blogger Held Over Insulting Posting", News Straits Times Online, January 26, viewed June 15, 2010, <http://yquake.nst.com.my/Current_News/NST/articles/12eiss/Article/index_html>