M'SIAN HOME MINISTER SUGGESTS BLOGGERS FORMULATE THEIR OWN CODE OF ETHICS

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 22 (Bernama)-- Malaysian Home Minister Syed Hamid Albar Saturday suggested that bloggers set up their own code of ethics to ensure that they are accountable for what they write in their blogs.

He said this is important because most bloggers are not journalists who are
trained to write in a fair and balanced manner.

Syed Hamid said that the proposed code should merely be in the form of
regulations instead of a legislation or a new law.

He said blogging is a powerful tool that can influence and shape the
perspective of readers on various issues.

"Indeed, they (bloggers) can unite the community or divide them. Like any
Malaysians, bloggers too have the responsibility in preserving national security
and stability," he said when opening the Bloggers Buff 2008 Conference, here
Saturday.

Syed Hamid said even professional journalists are guided by their own
professional code of conduct, and thus there is no reason why bloggers should
not have their own code of ethics.

He said blogs stand out from other media because readers can react to
a posting as soon as it has been published in the blog.

"The comments and talkback sessions have unfortunately provided a
channel for people to spread hatred and racial sentiments," he added.

Meanwhile, National Alliance of Bloggers (All-Blogs) Protem President and
Journalist Ahirudin Atan said that bloggers should come out with their own Code
of Ethics without interference from the government.

"Bloggers have the power of influencing opinions, and if it (the power) is
abused it can create enmity among friends," he said during the
conference.

He also said that anonymous comments should be treated like "surat layang"
(poison pen letters) and bloggers and readers alike have the right to ignore the
messages.