Wei Kiat's Blog

In light of the recent happenings in the blogscape of singapore, where bloggers are sued for posting racist remarks and insulting their own teachers, even what they said on their blog may be true, i decided to post an entry about these.

This has taught us to be responsible citizen, sensitive and mindful of what we say online. Basically, it has frightened the daylight out of many singapore bloggers, who had finally found a medium to post their views about things that they experience. Bloggers are now afraid to post any sensitive remarks, which basically totally defeat the purpose of having a blog – being able to post about anything under the sun.

Personally, I feel that that bunch of guys posting racist remarks on their blog should be punished, but those who post negative comments about their teachers should not. If the teacher(s) aren’t doing something bad in the first place, why would any student post negative comments about him or her? For example, I would happily post praises of Mr Su, my secondary school physic teacher, Mr Ang, my current PDG tutor. However, I would not be so sure what praises I would say when posting about Mr Hon, principal of CHS.

I believe that all of us should have a right. A right to post about things in this world that are not right. However, if such a right is not used in a right way, then it would amount to a wrong. Strong languages should not be used when commenting on a teacher, or any other public figure whom you may dislike. Instead, we should control our temper, and just STATE what is right or wrong.

It is wrong to expect all of us bloggers to keep our mouth firmly shut about unpleasant things that has happened to us, or what we experienced. We had enough of bottling all these up, and that is why we come online to find a new voice to our soul. Coming online to stir up unrest is wrong, but pointing out obvious facts that most of us already know is never wrong. Nobody is prefect. Everybody is imperfect. A person should be able to take criticisms calmly and learn from his or her own mistake, so that criticisms of him will slowly disappear from blogscape, replaced by praises. Shutting everybody who points out your fault up only shows how arrogant and ignorant you are as a person. It also shows how immature you are, if you attempt to sue people for pointing out your imperfection.

We bloggers are only trying to find a voice to represent our soul. Shutting us up is killing us, killing the novel idea of freedom of speech and sending out soul faster to our grave.

Therefore I feel that that serious actions should only be taken on bloggers who went too far by being racist on blogscape, and that bloggers who only attempt to point out faults of others because they can’t it tolerate anymore should be allowed their right to speak freely. If those teachers in question are that good, nobody would post negative comments about them. If any political party is good enough, it wouldn't be afraid that people will comment on it negatively and be ashamed of it. Shutting people who points out their fault for them using the excuse of “attempting to stir up social unrest” only shows how immature such a system is. I would have commented further, but this is a sensitive issue so I’ll have to stop. I do agree that some restriction should be placed on freedom of speech, but not to the extend of crippling the entire notion of freedom of speech.

In view of this recent development in the blogscape of Singapore, I have decided to establish some rules and regulations that I will attempt to follow while posting on this blog. This I feel, should also be taken seriously by other bloggers who have yet come to their senses.

Don’ts

1) No form of discrimination, against certain gender, country or race should be allowed.

2) Strong languages should not be used against any individual or organization.

3) There should not be any conscious attempt to spread misinformation

4) Confidential information regarding any individual organization. Secrets should not be leaked via blog.


Dos

1) Bloggers should be allowed to feedback or comment negatively about an individual or organization as long as such comment or feedback is TRUE.

2) Praise of individuals or organizations should be encouraged. People love praises!


Lets all be more sensitive about what we say on the net, in order to continue enjoying what little that remain of the right to speak freely that is given to us.

Failure to do so, we may all end up like Germans in the Nazi days. Use our rights maturely.

Disclaimer: This article is not written in an attempt to brainwash people. There is no conscious attempt to stir social unrest. The real purpose of this article is to encourage bloggers to be more mindful about what should not be posted in their blog. I am not an agent of the government and this is not propaganda. The secondary reason for posting this entry is to improve my essay writing skill. My promotional exams are coming and General Paper should not be flunked. Otherwise I’ll have to go through JC1 all over again. Wish me good luck, for people to not misinterpret my intentions and sue me regarding the content of this article. Wish me good luck again for passing my promos with flying colours.