UPDATE: Rocky goes to court tomorrow Thurs Jan 25 at 10am. Those of you who can support, do turn up. Those who can only be there in spirit (like me, unfortunately), spare a thought. Whatever the outcome, life will become very interesting!
Ok, let's put this conversation up front and centre, shall we? Our blogbros Jeff and Rocky are being sued, as you all know. We may not all agree with everything they say but that is not the point. The point is, this sort of heavyhanded intimidation is an impediment to democracy because it impedes freedom of speech and limits our people's access to alternative views about current events. It insults all of us because it assumes that we cannot come up with the 'right' opinion if we are allowed to see all the different perspectives on a particular subject. It is a blatant form of censorship.
So, this is what we need to do:
First, stay united on this issue, which is the right of bloggers to express their opinions in cyberspace. Responsible bloggers do not write mere gossip or lies, so must be free to write what they want.
Secondly, support all efforts to support Rocky and Jeff. The first is the proposal to set up a fund to defend them, as well as other bloggers which may face the same problems in the future. This is in the works, and I have been asked to be a Trustee. Am just waiting for proper terms of reference to be drafted because if we are handling people's money, we need to have safeguards to ensure transparency and accountability.
Thirdly, I think we should start a guerrilla campaign on this. I think we should turn Kickdefella's great logo into a whole series of merchandise - t-shirts, stickers, posters, whatever - to be sold to raise funds for the defence fund. If we have the logo EVERYWHERE, what are they going to do? They can't rip off the stickers from cars, or t-shirts off people's backs. The guys who do those great stencil graffitis should be asked to also help.
Fourthly, boycott the NST and related publications. Yes, stop subs. Nothing will create greater fear among those guys than if their income drops.
Any other creative suggestions to show support will be greatly welcomed.
Bloggers, and anyone else who believes in freedom of speech, unite!
Friday, January 19, 2007
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91 comments:
Dear Sis,
Thanks a million.
Sheih
Agree fully with your suggestions. I particlarly like the idea of wearing / using those T-shirts, caps, fans, stickers to create an identity, and a sense of unity and togetherness as we FIGHT this high-handed bullying intimidating and below-the-belt tactics of the NST and their senior management execs and their masters.
Already cancelled subscriptions of NST at home and office ( 10 copies daily ). Have not bought MMail for more than a year.
Have suggested to several related enterprises to stop advertising programmes with NST.
Tell us when the TOR of Fund for Freedom of Speech and Fundamental Liberties are established, and we will make our contributions.
Sell all those T-shirts and various merchandising parapehnalia soon at every possible location : univerisities, colleges, food courts, markets ( wet, night, weekend, etc ), LRT & Traing stations, places of worship, gymns and recreation parks, kopitiams, etc. Blanket the country with this and make more rakyat aware of these unrepentant liars and big-time bullies who are trying to stifle and silence the voice of the rakyat : Where is the honesty and sincerity of the "TALK TO ME ANG I WILL LISTEN" ? All we have seen so far is an uncaring and cruel government which have made our lives more and more miserable without any single ray of HOPE of any improvement!!
Go for it, Marina, and we'll support you and all brother & sister bloggers like Rocky & Jeff and possible others!
Cheers - fortunately many of us have positive disposition and we know that we'll survice these bunch of NONSENSE & EVIL Blackhearst!!
I'm writing this at the risk of being thought a prig or pro-establishment but here goes...
While respecting freedom of thought/opinion/interpretation/speech in principle, I strongly uphold the principles of responsibility and accountability. Freedom without responsibility invites anarchy!
Too many of us - professed modernists and liberalists - are quick to jump on the bandwagon of innovations like the internet, which allow for the freeflow of information - a lot of it uncensored and unfiltered. We think that people are mostly rational and can come to sensible conclusions.
But responses to postings on several blogspots show that there are many more bigots and chauvinists who throw out taunts and insults than people who think things through, argue out their cases logically and then only
come to their own conclusions.
Responsible blogging is the brand
of blogging that we want Malaysians to practise and participate in. Only then can bloggers claim to be alternative journalists and blogspots alternative media.
If we don't get our act in order but are ready to hurl insults at the mainstream media then shame on us!!!
Being the cockeyed optimist that I am, I think a lot of good will come out of Jeff Ooi's and Rocky Bru's legal and court experiences.
I happen to believe our nation Malaysia has a damn good future
if its people are damn good themselves!!!
kaklimah
sokong!
right now, unity is more important than merely fighting back. and when we fight, we fight to win. we need to watch what we say and make no mistakes because NST and friends cannot have a second chance at this.
I am in.
MM,
NSTP does not realize what it is getting into by proceeding with this legal action against Jeff and Rocky ! All Malaysian Bloggers and especially Jeff and Rocky 'should' thanks NSTP for making them 'known' globally !!! Better luck next time Kali !
agreed but if bloggers spread rumours and innuandos. being irresponsible ....
Petition?
Like you, I may not agree with a lot of things said by jeff and rocky but i will defend with all my might their inalienable right to express themselves. Stop the suit, NST, don't dig your own hole. You have already lost your readers, so please dont lose your dignity and self respect.
Hello!
I believe everybody has the right to sue if they are defamed. This can help protect a persons good reputation from baseless character assasinations.
I fully support NSTP lawsuit against Jeff Ooi and Ahiruddin Attan as I believe there is a limit to freedom of speech. There is no such thing as absolute freedom.
Salam
Datuk Marina yang dihormati
Saya harap Datuk segera in contact with Datuk Kadiaq dan Datuk Ron untuk tubuhkan segera tabung tu. Bila tabung tu dah ditubuhkan dan cadangan-cadangan lain yang Datuk kemukakan dapat digerakkan, trustee tabung tu, bagi pihak semua bloggers lain yang bersetuju menyokong usaha ini, mesti buat sidang akhbar, panggil semua press dalam dan luar negara.
Pokoknya, mesti hingaq cukup-cukup! Kalau tak hingaq, sapa anak dengaq?!!
- bakaq
cc. Datuk Kadiaq
Datuk Ron
Ms Marina,
While the rights for freedom of speech by the bloggers are important and something to be championed, the real question is if these rights supercede the rights of others to seek redress through the civil courts as citizens, both individual and corporate, of Malaysia.
We at Siber Party of Malaysia (M) believe that all citizens are equal, and just as Jeff Ooi has the right to say what he deems fit on his blog, others have the rights to take him to task for that and to have him substantiate his insinuations.
This is not a blow to freedom of speech, but on the contrary, it validates that very same right in the courts.
After all, Jeff Ooi himself says, "INTERNET does not operate in a legal vacuum" (sic).
Having said that, if this legal fund thing does take off, you'd actually be one of SiPM's choices for its trustees.
good idea.. but who's gonna start it?? all talk no actions means nothing...
Well written and wise. I am one from young.. yearns a democratic country with rights to speak freely and would have become a freedom fighter for a good cause...if I know how.
I am now reading ... watching and seeing where I can help. Bless you Marina.
BLESS SHEIH'S FOR HIS GREAT INITIATIVNESS AND GUTS.
i'm just a reader not a blogger and i've stopped buying nstp a long time ago.u guys have my support. just print the t-shirt or sticker, i'll buy it. keep on united okay. :)
Yes, lets boycott the newspapers.Tell all our friends not to buy the papers and see their income drops to zero.
The best way is for you, Marina, to be Prime Minister.
I'm sick of this shit.
agree with Mydeen Aboo Backer.
same as my comments at:
http://aisehman.org/?p=32
I think we should take note of the difference between bloggers and those who comment on blogs.We are talking about people who blog consistently especially under their own names.I trust all of you are smart enough to know what is fair comment and what is not. And the implications on everybody of court actions like this.Nobody is saying that they should not take them to court but it is intimidating nevertheless. Yes, this will be a test case and that's fine.
Yes,there are limits to freedom of speech. Question is, who defines it? In some countries, the government limits speech to only one approved language , cutting out the right of minority languages, and therefore peoples, to be heard.The principle of freedom of speech must be adhered to, to allow for people to understand the responsibility involved in that. Not allowing, or limiting it, means people never learn responsibility.
The efforts to support Rocky and Jeff have already begun. You will be kept updated as to what is happening.
Um..Prime Minister? Thanks, but no thanks!
Hey guys,
where do I send my first cheque?!?
Noted, Ms Marina.
At the same time however, while their transparency as bloggers should be commended, does that preclude them from being taken to task for what they write and insinuate ?
I'm sure we all understand that by now they're being sued for their comments and not that of their commenters.
Fair comment however is a subjective notion. What's fair to one person may not be so unbiased to another. It is for situations like these that we have a civil justice system and the torts of defamation and libel.
It thus follows, that if the aggrieved exercise their rights to have this fair comment justified through a civil lawsuit, then this does not impede the freedoms granted to others to continue commenting.
What we at SiPM find ironic is that the very defenders of free speech are now castigating the freedoms of the aggrieved parties to seek redress under the laws of the land. The critical notion of fair comment is obviously going to be biased, with the bloggers' supporters insisting that it is fair comment while the plaintiffs think otherwise.
The outcome will be decided by the courts, and then that will be the end of it, no matter how long it takes.
Freedoms come with responsibility, and one can't really expect that a blogger's rights supercede that of the rights of an ordinary citizen. Bloggers have always maintained that they should be accorded the same status as the mainstream press, and this defamation suit reinforces that. The mainstream press can be sued when they publish something less than true, just as bloggers who publish allegations can be taken to court to prove those allegations.
Suggestions:
1. Urge big corporation not to advertise in the NST.
2. Urge newspaper vendors not to distribute NST but instead their subscribers to go for the Sun or the Star.
Folks, it's like this. The blogbros are being sued and that's a fact.They need support because they don't have the resources of the other side. So those who want to support, both morally and financially, do come forward.Let's not argue whether they are right or wrong before the court decides.
The least we can hope is that if ever the rest of us face the same problem, the favour will be returned.And it would be good if the bloggerhood came together as a community. That in itself would be an achievement.
Our fellow Bloggers are being sued,Im a malaysian blogging from Middle East.We should all unite on the Net I suggest,some one to create a blog in Support for Rocky and Jeff.
kak nuraina dan kak marina,
saya bangga dengan kakak berdua. tak malu jadi blogger wanita!
insyallah, women power will prevail and help promote freedom of speech and liberation of our media (old and new). saya doakan kakak berdua sihat waalfiat dan dapat berjuang terus untuk meninggikan martabat kaum hawa.
bloggers unite!
MM,
my follow-up comment criticising YOUR VIEWS was not published by u. let's get this out of the way: i'm using a pseudonym, so this complaint is NOT about my ego or pride, but a complain about your ability to live up to your principles.
so, where's your 'respect for free speech'? gone missing WHEN n IF people disagree with your views or attack your perceived 'friends'??
u JUST said, on this very page:
"The principle of freedom of speech must be adhered to, to allow for people to understand the responsibility involved in that. Not allowing, or limiting it, means people never learn responsibility."
y not let the readers decide whether a commentator's views r valid?? doesn't EVERY VOICE deserve to b heard??
u ALSO JUST said, on this very page:
"In some countries, the government limits speech to only one approved language , cutting out the right of minority languages, and therefore peoples, to be heard"
"because it assumes that we cannot come up with the 'right' opinion if we are allowed to see all the different perspectives on a particular subject. It is a blatant form of censorship."
i can't believe YOU wrote them.
how ironic, Marina. u r just like them - rocky n jeff. HYPOCRITE, DOUBLE STANDARD. i can't believe i would use those adjectives on u one day.
http://www.jeffooi.com/2006/08/limitation_on_speech.php#comment-10116
seriously, i'm VERY disappointed.
Dear MM;
I read the article to my wife and she immediately asked me "Where can I buy the T-shirt and stickers?".
I am one of regular commenters at various blogs and I fully support what all of you guys are doing.
"Continue fighting a good fight!"
p/s: still do not have the time to put up Bloggers United logo on my blog.
An easy way to collect funds is to set up a paypal link on one or several of these legitimate blog sites.
I don't see this as a limit to freedom of speech. Internet media should be just as accountable as old media. I do think that this lawsuit is a *good* thing as it will test the laws of the country when it comes to freedom of speech on the Internet. Then, the old farts can stop spreading fear, uncertainty and doubt about it in the future.
I do agree that we need to support the bloggers though. So, let me know when the fund is set up. I also like the idea of merchandising and stopping subscriptions.
I'm wondering. If NST loses, would Jeff and Rocky be able to counter-sue in any way? Can any lawyers answer this?
Please post the details how how we can contribute to the funds. I am in as well.
I like the fund idea and the t shirt thing.....100% support...let's do it..
I love the merchandise idea. I'm in as well!
hit them where it hurts. stop buying nst and their related business, and get the merchandise idea going. You have my full support!!
Juslo, I'm sorry but I don't think I received any follow-up comment from you. Have looked through my comments moderation page and cannot find any outstanding comments.I havent been rejecting any at all.Kindly re-send.
Salam
Datuk Marina yang dihormati
Mintak maaf banyak-banyak sebab sebelum ni saya ingat Datuk Mukhriz dan Datuk Mokhzani saja yang bersikap ketegaq mcm Tun terhadap yang tidak disukai.
Rupa-rupanya Kak Chaq (panggilan sesetengah orang utara kepada kakak yang sulung) pun tak kurang ketegaq!
Mohon maaf, Datuk. Bukan underestimate, tetapi tersilap baca! Atau memang saya buta hurup!
Berbekalkan semangat ketegaq Tun, harap Datuk, Datuk Kadiaq serta Datuk Ron tak bertangguh lagi. Saya tengok dah ramai dah yang gatai tangan nak keluaq duit ni! Saya pun sama walaupun sikit dan tak dapat nak bagi banyak..
Di samping kutip duit banyak2, kita hingaq cukup2 biaq semua orang dengaq!!
Kita hingaq biaq semua dengaq!!
- bakaq
I;m making my t-shirt tomorrow...hahaha!
Spinning yarn in here too, Mydeen Aboo Backer? We have our eyes on you and your gang of 4 always.
Ms Marina
Refer to your 20th Jan (4.14pm comments.Just two words.
WELL SAID !
WE ARE NOT JUDGING THE TWO BLOGGERS. jUST SUPPORTING THEM - FINANCIALLY AND IN SPIRIT. iF YOU DO NOT WISH TO -- THEN, -- LEAVE IT !
I have already cancelled my NST subscription.
hi kak marina.
I'm 20 something executive werkin in kl. With my low paying dreadful job i can only afford to buy 2-3 tshirts to support tis campaign.(make sure they hav size xs/s,jgn laa jual mahal2 ye kak?) we're allowed to wear casual on saturday, n i will wear em proudly(even at the risk of getting fired by my filthy rich boss)
*bloggers unite*
NzKhan
Just Bring It...
Create The FUND...
Me, me, me! I want to help. I can help do up all the merchandise. I am a print production specialist and am currently working in a leading advertising agency in KL.
Please contact me at junesy511@gmail.com
Bloggers Unite!
With apology Marina but do allow me this space and thanking you in advance.I had this posted at Malik Imtiaz's blog:
Malik, stay focus. While we understand the need for you to reply to some of the posters here, but don't waste anymore of your time to engage this bunch of people (those from SiPM and muhammad abdullah). And very soon too, few more other names will crop up here as they did at Rocky's, Jeff's, Sheih's, RPK's and Marina's.
We are profiling them. Let us be the ones instead, to engage them, not by replying to their spinning for their masters, but exposing and identifying who they really are.
The sooner we ignore and not allowing them this platform to create chaos and disunity among bloggers, the better prepared we are to face the real issue in hand.
Don't bother to reply us on this, gang of 4 (or should I add on 'th Floor' to it?). Our purpose and function is to sniff you all out.
Thanks to this NSTP fiasco I’m blogging now! yahooo…. at least there’s more reasons to vent my opinions rather than letting them GOONS scare us with their high handed Draconian ways.
http://wattahack.blogspot.com/
By the way …
What happened to Lim Kit Siang’s blog? media blackout???
http://blog.limkitsiang.com/
Today its like this:
Sorry! Please come back later, server maintenance in progress….
Yesterday was:
account suspended not paid?
I like the idea of boycotting NST newspaper as to show suppport for the bloggers and express our protest for this lawsuit.
I will suggest that we need to arrange a systematic boycott system to be a success and united force. For a start, let's fix a date for the newspaper boycott and inform nation wide through publicity and blogs. Fix the date that everyone will be informed and everyone who wish to contribute can contribute by not buying NST for the day.
If this turns into a success, further boycotting dates can be fixed and see how long NSTP can last and see what is their response to the boycott.
Count me in. And I am cancelling the NST subscription for my office.
(Ah Leong)
as much as i respect marina's pro-activeness as a human-right activist, i think this is getting a bit too much.
yes, i believe in freedom of speech but i don't buy propaganda and `brainwashing'. It's the bloggers freedom to write what they see fit, and it's NSTP's freedom to sue as they deem fit.
I am a blogger (but i write a personal joournal not social/political commentary) In fact, rocky is my former editor and i think he's a swell guy. at the same time, nor have i have any personal issues with any of the NSTP editors/bosses.
the thing here is, why not let the parties involved - ie. the bloggers being sued and the plaintiff, sort it out among themselves. hopefully amicably, hopefully NST drop charges.. but if a group of over-enthusiastic bloggers/blog readers just jump on the bandwagon because of their favourite bloggers/idols say so, i don't think it will achieve any positive consequences.
It is taking freedom of speech to an extreme level. is this a `war' between government power and freedom of blogging? are our blogs all threatened? are they all scrutinised? I even know of malaysians who write semi-porn blogs and they got away. Its not that we have no freedom. I think in the case of high profile rocky and jeff ooi, they know the danger ground they are threading with their provocative posts on NSTP and its bosses.
Speaking of freedom of speech, do we want to emulate the west? do you think their society is a better one to live in? but don't get me wrong, i do feel our media can be a bit more independent and open. that's something we need to work on.
boycott NST? well, go ahead if you wish. it is your freedom. but it is like burning the house down when the father insults your friend. ok, not a totally apt anology, but look the `culprits' are the big bosses, NOT the whole NSTP and its thousands of employees, its associates and readers.
i don't subscribe to the NST in the first place but i would definitely not hate the paper now because of this issue. I will disrespect and stop reading a paper if the news and reports it carries is irresponsible and bias. but not when the bosses decide to sue some bloggers who arguably did defame them in some form or another.
to rocky, jeff - all i can say is i admire your courage and i enjoyed reading your blogs. but no, i am not in this `blogger united' propoganda that sheih advocates.
i hope those who are shouting `boy cott NST!', `down to NST!' just take a step back and look at the whole thing less subjectively or emotionally.
Marina, pardon me for this long piece but i decided to just say it out after reading your stand on this.
you're a very passionate person who dares to stand up to your belief.
but sometimes, we should use some rational and not just gut feeling.
yours humbly,
just a simple girl (and i'm not anonymous) :)
You motherduckers, you think you can solve all problems by boycotting the NST. By applying puerile methods you think you can solve all problems in one fell swoop? Come on man, NST doesn't need you readers as long as the powers-that-be read the paper.
I would wanna support the idea of the tshirt, badges and car stickers. That would be cool. Its easier to distribute, appeal to mass public and says a lot! serious. I wore a badge to work and someone saw the picture in my blog and ask me what does my badge says and proudly I told him what it meant, "In Search of Peace". hehehehe.
Now, we should find cute but strong taglines to go with Bloggers United! I'm all up for it!
I smiled when i read about the idea of you being Prime Minister because i think it's an idea that's been floating around in the minds of your readers a lot. My mom (who actually went to Sussex with you) and I have talked about how great a Prime Minister you'd make but figured out your most probably not very interested in starting a career in politics.
As for the NST blogger attack, I find it an insult on me as blogger too. These mindless powerful people have deprived us of so much already (e.g. opportunity for unbiased education) and now they want to take away our freedom of speech. What's next? Our freedom to breath?
Datuk MM,
I'm in! I'm in!
Hopefully GOD gives us the strength and guidance to fight those unworthy!
Please also send my regards to TDM.
If NST's readership at about 240,000 is to be believed, and if 50% of these people are 'actual' people who can think for themselves, and only then, assuming that they lend their voice to this fight, that would translate to RM144,000 daily. If we continue this action for two weeks!RM2,016,000.00. This would be anough to fight them to appeal! assuming the worse!
Syabas to Malik for working with Jeff on this.
If one says the truth about another on the internet (with proof) does that mean it is libel?
alliedmartster
www.muststopthis.blogspot.com
Whoa, the war is on.
I think I shall get a Blogger's United T-shirt too. =P
MM,
alright, MISUNDERSTANDING i guess.
(i've forgotten what i said, so i won't repost my comments, which was apparently 'received' at around 3.50 PM, January 20, 2007)
I APOLOGISE. sincerely.
thanks.
This an open message to rocky, jeff. You are alleged to have libelled kali and Co. Don't involve the people. It's your own battle. Be man enough to face the consequences. Where are your balls.
i always admire u but i rarely agree with u...but for this one..i'm with u and i always want to be with the protester. protest to survive!
Of course, ceasing subscriptions and purchases of NST-related media is effective but the systematic boycott idea (or a mass boycott on a specific day) will send the message loud and clear when it is highlighted in other media. Imagine, the headline photos in The Star, The Sun, etc showing stacks of unsold NST newspapers in newstands, 7-Elevens, petrol kiosks, etc!
Dear Marina
Have you decided not to post my last response or rather queries re the role and responsibilities of bloggers in relation to their contributors.
Are they or are they not responsible for managing their blogspots which includes selecting and editing responses?
kaklimah
Dear Kaklimah,
Your comments are the third from the top, under Anonymous.
Yes, we are certainly responsible for moderating comments.I can't speak for everyone but as mentioned in an early posting, I publish all responses except those which are out of topic (can be slack on this), advertising and in foreign languages which I don't think most people will understand.(Most people have been polite so I have not had to delete obscenities much either.) So far I have not not posted a comment, despite some accusations. I do have a choice of responding or not responding to comments though because I view the comments section as a public forum and anyone can respond. Which as you may have noticed on other postings, they do.
Hope that answers your queries?
Since blogspots are fast becoming mutual admiration clubs, I'd like to say that I admire JESSCET's stand on this issue, and applaud her for being so honest.
It has always been fashionable to be anti-establishment especially among zealous young turks. To launch a hate-campaign against a newspaper which is reputed to be the government spokesman and vanguard will be seen (in other media and on the propaganda paraphernalia) as the height of creativity, heroism and bravery - a kind of jihad if you like.
The real issues viz freedom of speech and expression which you and I are quite capable of understanding if we think hard enough will be torn to bits by "learned" counsels and judges in the courtroom, until they become either mere technicalities to be tested and made a precedent; or else become too complicated for us to want to digest.
The blogspot is the blogger's responsibility and if he/she posts sensitive issues which invite controversial responses, technically he/she is also responsible for them. After all you can choose not to post these comments or move them several notches higher than their original state by editing them.
As for freedom of speech or whatever - WHAT FREEDOM?
BON NINI
Yes we shud fight for our freedom of speech and lets joint Bloggers United (BU) and boycott the NST.
-Send my regards to TDM
Thanks Bon Nini for recognising my view. And I couldn't agree more to what you said.
to think of it, there are pros and cons to blogging. In this situation, i feel the blogosphere is becoming a `danger ground'. not just because bloggers like jeff and rocky have commanded their own cult following who are gladly embracing and executing their new-found `power' to voice out, but posts and comments can become a tool that rather than uniting (well, superficially it looks like it) ultimately illicit dissentments , disturbances and hatred.
so again i say - let the big guns of NSTP and the plaintiffs sort it out.
i'm at all time for peace, not war :)
Marina I actually sent a shorter one yesterday but never mind - it's probably lost in cyberspace. You've partly answered my queries. Thanks.
kaklimah
Press conference on NSTP defamation suits against Jeff Ooi and Ahiruddin Attan
The Centre for Independent Journalism (CIJ) and the Writers' Alliance for Media Independence (WAMI) would like to invite you to attend a press conference on the defamation suits being taken by the New Straits Times Press Bhd and others against two bloggers, Ahiruddin Attan and Ooi Chuan Aun, better known as Rocky's Bru and Jeff Ooi.
CIJ will be making public the joint statement endorsed by NGOs who are against the defamation suits. Both Rocky and Jeff will be present in the conference.
The press conference will be held:
Time: 11:00 am
Date: 23 January 2007
Venue:
The Centre for Independent Journalism
27C Jalan Sarikei, off Jalan Pahang
53000 Kuala Lumpur
Tel: 03 4023 0772
Fax: 03 4023 0769
(see www.cijmalaysia.org for a map)
For more details please contact Yip Wai Fong on 03 4023 0772 or 012 6986662
Kak Limah, that would be the second one I've 'lost'. Don't know if it's the blogging software or what. Anyway, hope people will not jump to conclusions too quickly when there are bugs like that in the system.
You did not post my comment? Steve
I also like to contribute and buy t-shirts so long as it can be posted to Australia.
Marina, why your profile has no photo? very hard trying to imagine what you look like lah... Pls put a current pic so we have a real mental picture of you... Not that I am hitting on you lah.
memang bahaya Jesscet jika sesuatu digunakan sebagai alat untuk melepaskan geram terhadap pihak-pihak tertentu.
jihad atau perjuangan untuk mendirikan kebenaran, dalam apa bentuk pun, mesti jujur dan mengikut pendirian yang mulia.
tapi satu lagi ambiguiti dalam hal ini terletak pada konsep kebenaran itu sendiri - kebenaran mutlak hanya dimiliki TUHAN. kebenaran yang lain termasuk, kebenaran mahkamah dan undang-undang, adalah rekaan manusia berasaskan persepsi dan interpretasi. mari kita renungkan bersama.
hahaHA
Ms Marina,
Coming on the heels of your support for freedoms of speech, what is your comment on Siber Party of Malaysia (M) Politburo members - Dek Mat, Mat Merah and Mydeen - being banned from using our URL sipm.blogspot.com in postings on KickdeFella.Wordpress.Com ?
Not only has Kickdefella blacklisted us as spam - which in itself is incorrect, we're not spam - he has also in one fell swoop banned us from using our URL in any WordPress hosted blog.
Coming from the rallying point for supposed freedom of speech, we at SiPM are curious about your opinions and thoughts on the matter.
You're free to read our comments on this thread to decide for yourself if what we said is spam or particularly offensive in any way.
What do you think ?
dear kak marina
i agree with what you've said. it's a great idea. i support the Bloggers United campaign all the way. in fact, i've stopped subscribing to all NSTP services and put up the Bloggers United logo in my blogs.
lo
Steve, I've been posting everything on this subject so far.If I haven't posted your comment, it means I never got it which seems to be an ongoing problem. The thing is I can't tell if I received your comment until you tell me so. So if really you didn't see your comment up, do me a favour and re-post it.
As for my photo, aiya, no need lah.I'm recognisable enough as it is.
Mydeen and chums, I read through your comments etc at Kickdefella and can't see anything wrong. Everyone seems to get their day in the sun.Your URL was posted on one comment, and it's up here now.
Meantime thank you all for your courteous and thoughtful comments.
As I said elsewhere, save the money from buying NST newspapers and donate it to the bloggers' fund.
Let's boycott NST.
"Come on man, NST doesn't need you readers as long as the powers-that-be read the paper."
WOW... the powerful that be actually read papers! and they only buy NST rite (more like got it Free).... how many is that compared to the rest of us not-so-powerful that actually pay with money?
Marina, i sent a quite lengthy posting to your blog but somehow or other it wasn't published. granted it is your right but then i suspect you are being selective when it comes to comments about your 'friends.' Correct me if I am wrong.
I am the person who posted "Please post the details how how we can contribute to the funds. I am in as well." I won't be interested to contribute to this funds anymore as I understand the funds will be use for workshop for blogger upon the trustee approval. I felt it kind of bais in this manner, I thought the workshop could have been a a good educational tool to benefit the general public as a whole and not to the selected few in understanding the media world. I wish you guys the very best. Thank you.
I think given we anticipate a long haul, and Malaysians "mudah lupa", it's important to maintain an ongoing narrative of this issue.
More and more bloggers blogging about it is a start. Other ways of keeping it up ... links to one another spin a web of awareness/influence, urge ppl to write open letters to the PM, providing direct email links (his anti-blogger stand notwithstanding), organise anti-defamation forums.
Finally, one way to involve democratic participation among non-bloggers may be to set up an opinion poll as to whether media organisations should resort to suing bloggers for defamation.
Let the court of public opinion be heard in cyberspace since we mostly certainly won't be allowed to do so in court.
Updates on the support that Bloggers United received so far from the International Communities. Click the link below:
http://blackinkorea.blogspot.com/2007/01/updates-support-for-bloggers-united-so.html
Jango Ang, as I have said in an earlier comment, I am really not rejecting any comments at all. There is no way I can prove that of course but that is the honest truth. So I know it's inconvenient but if you don't see your post, do please re-post it. Like I said, I can't tell what's not coming in until you tell me so. As for friends, I have no idea who most of these posters are so I can't be choosy.
Regarding the fund, we have not finalised anything about it yet so please don't go according to bits and pieces in the papers. It is essentially to support bloggers that may face legal action of this kind.There should be an announcement regarding terms of reference of the fund very soon.
Thanks.
Together we support this movement.
Bloggers United!
Majulah Blogging Untuk Negara,
endroog.com
letter by dr azmi sharom
http://www.malaysiakini.com/letters/62496
Azmi Sharom
Jan 23, 07 5:10pm
The defamation suit against bloggers Jeff Ooi and Ahiruddin Atan by New Straits Times is a damning act on the part of that monolith of a newspaper. Not damning on these two men but on themselves, for by taking this action the NST has shown itself to be an agent for the oppression of opinion. It is an act one expects from the government but not from a newspaper.
Any newspaper worth its salt must defend freedom of expression, not curb it, and as such the NST is behaving in a shameful manner. It is shameful because if what these men and their readers said were untrue, then the NST has all the power and facility to oppose it in the best way possible and that is by intelligently and clearly refuting what was said. For God’s sake, they are a newspaper. They are not some poor individual who had been defamed and has no other recourse but the law because he has no other option to defend himself.
The NST can print an entire special edition defending itself, but instead it chooses to use its money to put these men through the emotionally and financially draining experience of a court battle. What is infuriating is that there are so many other options open to the NST to debunk what they see are lies.
To pick this legal action is not about righting wrongs, it smacks of revenge. They claim that they are doing it to stop irresponsible bloggers. Now who on earth appointed the mighty NST to be the judge and executioner over what is responsible and what is not?
It is a trite fact that in this country freedom of expression is severely curbed, a fact that the NST should know about. To see a newspaper acting in this way is disheartening. They have the right to sue for defamation, that can’t be disputed. But the main reason for suing for defamation is because one’s reputation has been damaged.
It appears to me that whatever was said in those two blogs is not nearly as damaging as what the NST has done to themselves by playing bully.
I would like to post some questions before you all whip up the support for Jeff Ooi :
1) We do not really know what Jeff Ooi is charged for ? Just because a big boy summons him does not really show that he is innocent. Please be rational .
2) Most of his contents carry element of racism . For example he still stick a picture of P Gunasegaram on his blog titled : "He crictised maahtiar, now he siad he is threatened" . He is indeem good on personal attack.
There must be some perimeter of freedom confined to bloggers, they must be responsible and amature.
With the picture of Gunasegaram still on his blog, please tell me he is mature, Ms Marina
Jeff ooi's blog is generally very reasonable. But its just that- a personel blog- not a newspaper or a news agency. To be fair we have to always keep this in mind.
Most of the time its very matured and reasonable, but there will be instances where he is immatured or unreasonable- to me he is entitle to do so- after all he does not pretand that it is more than just a blog.
The very fact that we sometimes forget that its not a conventional news medium but just a blog is in fact evidence of how matured it is for a blog.
His blog is so well moderated by the standards of most blogs that inadvertantly, we judge him by the rules that regulate more orthodox news medium- rules that didnt appear wholesale fully developed but rather peice meal, bit by bit, over many, many decades.
But that is the point- we should accept Jeff Ooi blog for what it is- a well moderated personal blog who at times may refelect our opinions rather than shapes it.
Ii lacks many things if judged by the conventions of the orthodox news media( standard of reporting, a legal department to advice him on what can and cannot be done, a network of reporters and a tried and tested method of reliably eveluating sources) but its not a news media but rather simply a blog.
Nothing more and nothing less.
Kudos to Jeff for making us forget that.
Its the only fair and matured thing to do
I kinda agree with Jesscet. Thats level headed thinking.Much as i respect Jeff and Rocky, i think that they should be responsible for what they write.Guys, you have to answer for it.And if you do pull it off, well good for you and the rest of us bloggers. Make a fight of it.
What else to say ....boycot don't buy NST until they repent a beg to bloggers for sympathy
This is how they think: It's either they win, or we lose. It is as easy as that.
Which is bullcrap. Here we are living in a country which is striving to build a community which values critical thinking, but we do not get to view things differently, we do not get the to speak our minds. Because when we do, we get sued.
In school, our youth are subjected to the KBKK system to nurture critical thinking. But, this purpose defies itself when no one gets to express their thoughts or/and opinions. Perhaps KBKK was never Kemahiran Berfikir secara Kritis & Kreatif, maybe it has been Kemahiran Berfikir Secara Kelam Kabut all along. Sheesh.
We are living in a country where cowards live in high places. What a pity.
I give you my support, this whole "You don't get to say anything" culture has to stop. We need to be able to speak our minds.
I believe this freedom of Speech awareness campaign should not just focus on the city area. We must also find an effective way - by all mean, to generate supporter from the rural area. Goverment have use them with great deal on their ignorancism or whatsoever. Hopefully a strong and more practical approach will be carry out.
its utter BS if u ask me. democracy... dictatorship... sounds the same..
Dear MM,
Like father, like daughter.
Always inspiring. Fully support your move.
Go for it, dear sister.
Hi Marina,
If I may be allowed to put in my two cents worth on the subject. I think you are a sweet person and I fully agree with much of what you say but let's not get emotional over the whole affair. As I see it the whole issue is to put up a really good defence in order to win the case. As the great Martin Luther King, Jr. said:
"Darkness cannot drive out darkness;
only light can do that.
Hate cannot drive out hate;
only love can do that.
Hate multiplies hate, violence multiplies violence,
and toughness multiplies toughness
in a descending spiral of destruction."
Yang Dihormati,
Malaysia calls herself democratic and so she should be democratic in her ways in dealing with bloggers.
These comments have been invaluable to me as is this whole site. I thank you for your comment.
Thanks for the nice post!
agreed with bloggers united ideas. i have updated my blog with the icon as well.
keep us updated of any activity. one of the ideas to produce t-shirts and the money can be use for campaign is a good!
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