Tun Dr M to bloggers : Write the truth

PUTRAJAYA: Blogs are relevant because they are another source of information and different from that provided by the mainstream media, but bloggers should be responsible on what they highlight, said Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.
The former prime minister said bloggers should not tell lies and untruths, and because there were no laws governing them, their freedom to write anything could negatively affect the development of the country.
“Although bloggers are not subject to the same laws governing the mainstream media, they should write the truth all the same.
“I believe there should be press freedom but there should be a certain amount of limit to ensure that the information provided does not destroy the country,” he told reporters here after opening the Perdana Leadership Foundation's sixth discourse series titled “Media and National Development” yesterday.
On the planned registration of bloggers by the Government, Dr Mahathir said it was similar to licensing of the mainstream media.
He said it was good, provided it is not used to threaten bloggers when they write the truth.
'If you suppress news, alternate news will be given credence. Attempts to control bloggers are bound to fail,' he told a forum on the media held at his Perdana Leadership Foundation.
He said he believed that bloggers have, by and large, been responsible, and urged them to stick to the truth without embellishment in order to stay credible.
Dr Mahathir also apologised for his statement about Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi owning a mansion in Perth, Australia.
He said he got carried away when he mentioned it at a talk in Kulai, Johor, on March 29 recently and added it was based on a rumour.
He was responding after web portal Malaysia Today's Raja Petra Kamaruddin pointed out to him at yesterday's press conference that through an independent search, it was discovered that the house belonged to the wife of a prominent Malaysian businessman.

tunku : yea tell the truth nothing but the truth. nobody can do anything to you when you tell the truth.i admit some blogs they just simply write something which is not known whether it is true or just a lie.we should always tell the truth then only people we believe in us.