Cowboy Caleb the liberal arts, grown-up stuff & random mischief

Blogging And Regulation

Malaysia wants to have laws against irresponsible blogging and a 29 year old legal counsel publishes an article in Today (femes for firing mrbrown) entitled Blogs Should Regulate.

Ha - We are bloggers, our name is Legion.

Looks like the Malaysian lawmakers and Singaporean legal counsels are clueless about blogging and bloggers. Self-regulation will not work. And here is why.

1. Each blogger works alone crafting his/her own little bubble of reality on the blogosphere. While he/she may be part of a community, this doesnt mean that his/her actions actually have any credibility or impact on the community.
2. There is no incentive to signup for regulation. Why would a blogger formally join an association? What benefits will they receive? Blogging is not a source of income for many.
3. There is no punishment harsh enough to deter bloggers from not signing up to be regulated. In fact, it might be even cooler for a blogger not to be regulated.
4. Let’s say all bloggers are regulated. And then what? Does it become a closed group like journalism where you have to go through books and exams to gain entrance? Blogging is supposed to give a voice to those who have no means to express their thoughts through the media.
5. And finally, this is the Intarwebs. It cannot be controled. How? Can you regulate air and sunshine?

Self-regulation of bloggers is a little bit like telling kids not to have sex because it’ll result in unwanted pregnancies. Some kids abstain, some do it anyway and a few end up experiencing parenthood at an early age.

So you’ve got a blog. Does it make you a blogger? I don’t think so. Why don’t we discuss how to define a blogger rather than going after anybody with a blogger.com account?

I for one would really appreciate not being grouped together with the other so called bloggers who cover hate, racism and hello kitty etc .

So how about not treating all bloggers like one entity named Legion, and start speaking to us individually? We may even have some ideas to share on how to deal with this regulation issue if you ask nicely enough.

The guy is crap
The article is crap
The post is crap

And Guess wat ?

You’re definitely crappier

PS: You did not reply to my sms lor.. CB

aye!

Fear is the key. Abuse the weapon of fear they will. For they are afraid…

like the difference btw “writers” and “authors”.

everyone who writes for money, but they are not authors.
everyone who blogs are not necessary bloggers.

im not. blek