PM: Those who spread untruths on the Net will be detained
KUALA TERENGGANU: The PM has issued a warning – those who spread untruths and slander on the internet will face the law.
If information in the 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.
“We cannot allow such matters to flow through uncontrolled,” he told newsmen after attending a briefing on the proposed Islamic Civilisation Park in Pulau Wan Man here.
“They say all kinds of things, make all kinds of dubious claims. We cannot allow them to abuse the freedom earned under media. If left alone, they can say or pass on all kinds of things.”
“Abdullah also said that those who sent out such information via SMS would also be held accountable.”
“If they abuse the freedom – more than the present freedom given without any restriction – we cannot allow it,” he declared.
“Where in the world is there such a freedom, where one can freely spread incorrect information and slander without having to own up to it?”
Asked if he was calling for a control mechanism, Abdullah said he would leave it to the police to investigate first.
It was reported recently that the Internal Security Ministry was investigating several online sites following a string of misreporting that caused tension and confusion among Internet users.
[Source: The Star, Wednesday, 2 August 2006]
No comments:
Post a Comment