MICA Minister urges netizens to develop netiquette
By Sharon See | Posted: 28 July 2012 2142 hrs
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SINGAPORE: Information, Communications and the Arts Minister, Yaacob Ibrahim, urged all netizens to come together to develop an internet code of conduct.
Dr Yaacob was addressing more than 800 students from 50 secondary and post-secondary institutions at a dialogue.
=> As usual, $$$Million ministers are only good enuff to bluff and frighten students, not interested in engaging adults. WHY?
He said a code of conduct is meant to encourage civilised behaviour online.
He also noted that unless there is a code of conduct, when something goes wrong there will be people asking the government to do something about it.
Dr Yaacob said this is worse because having laws would stifle the internet.
He added that a code of conduct would set the parameters for an honest, constructive and rational discussion.
"If you think let's say a certain minister is lousy, that's an opinion, we won't go after you.
"But if you say the minister is corrupt, you must back that with facts because that's an accusation, that's an allegation.
"If you tell me I'm corrupt, I will tell you to justify it, if not I'll see you in court. How then can you say the same thing in the internet and get away with it? Cannot be. It's simple logic. But again, we're not interested in building this code of conduct from the top and then enforce it down.
"We believe as netizens, all of us should come together and develop a code of conduct or what we call netiquette that we can all agree upon. It is supposed to be a bottom up process."
The discussion centred around racial and religious harmony on social media.
Some students asked how they can respond to or stop racism while others asked for the minister's opinion on how to better integrate foreigners into Singapore's society.
=> Did he reply with "What d'ya think?"
- CNA/ck
By Sharon See | Posted: 28 July 2012 2142 hrs
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The dialogue saw more than 800 students from 50 secondary and post-secondary institutions. | |||||||||||
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SINGAPORE: Information, Communications and the Arts Minister, Yaacob Ibrahim, urged all netizens to come together to develop an internet code of conduct.
Dr Yaacob was addressing more than 800 students from 50 secondary and post-secondary institutions at a dialogue.
=> As usual, $$$Million ministers are only good enuff to bluff and frighten students, not interested in engaging adults. WHY?
He said a code of conduct is meant to encourage civilised behaviour online.
He also noted that unless there is a code of conduct, when something goes wrong there will be people asking the government to do something about it.
Dr Yaacob said this is worse because having laws would stifle the internet.
He added that a code of conduct would set the parameters for an honest, constructive and rational discussion.
"If you think let's say a certain minister is lousy, that's an opinion, we won't go after you.
"But if you say the minister is corrupt, you must back that with facts because that's an accusation, that's an allegation.
"If you tell me I'm corrupt, I will tell you to justify it, if not I'll see you in court. How then can you say the same thing in the internet and get away with it? Cannot be. It's simple logic. But again, we're not interested in building this code of conduct from the top and then enforce it down.
"We believe as netizens, all of us should come together and develop a code of conduct or what we call netiquette that we can all agree upon. It is supposed to be a bottom up process."
The discussion centred around racial and religious harmony on social media.
Some students asked how they can respond to or stop racism while others asked for the minister's opinion on how to better integrate foreigners into Singapore's society.
=> Did he reply with "What d'ya think?"
- CNA/ck
