LAW: Bloggers more exposed to legal liability

KUALA LUMPUR: Law and ethics in cyberspace and managing brand online reputation were widely discussed at the Asian Bloggers and Social Media Conference 2010 session this morning.

The conference which started yesterday saw first speaker Eddie Law, a local blogger and founder of LawEddie.com and eLawyer.com.my, addressed on where bloggers should learn to draw the boundary with their contents, among others.

"Is Internet a wild-wild world?" was the question raised by him before pointing out that a blogger was still subjected to local law and regulations.

While stating the difference between a blogger and a journalist, Law also explained a blogger is more exposed to legal liability than the latter, as a blogger might not realise that his post is prone to legal risks such as defamation and infringement of copyrights.

"As blogging activity is still relatively new, there were no clear-cut legal issues that even be tested in the court," he said.

Nonetheless, he cited several cases which involved bloggers and laws such as defamation suits against Jeff Ooi and Datuk Ahirudin Attan, or also known as Rocky, in 2007 as well as the detention of Raja Petra Kamaruddin under the Internal Security Act (ISA).

He also noted that in liberal countries like US and Singapore, there were more civil action against bloggers than in conservative countries like China where bloggers were more likely to face criminal action.

"I hope the government can enact more acts in blogging activity as its effect and influence in the society is undeniable," he added.

Still, Law also stressed the necessity to practice self-censorship for blogging in order to build responsible and trustworthy online committee. "Bloggers should be honest and fair, minimise harm by treating other people with respect and be accountable," he concluded.

Around 300 participants were being enlightened with the talk on managing online reputation by Indonesia's leading online strategist company, Virtual Consulting. Its chief operating officer, Iim Fahima Jachja, drew the audience's attention on the influence of social media, such as Twitter in Indonesia, on shaping brand perception.

"Indonesia has six million users who have created a worldwide trending topic in Twitter, from the Jakarta bombings, even to the most embarrassing topic, Ariel Peterporn," she said, referring to the infamous sex-tape scandal involving an Indonesian rock singer.

Thus, she said, managing a brand reputation online was like managing oneself where one has to be positive.

"Reputation is what people think of you and you are what you project. It is the same for your online presence. No online presence can indicate bad reputation for your brand," she added.

Stressing that online website ranked at number three as the most credible source for brand information, Iim elaborated that the social-media was not only the marketing team's responsibility, but also a corporate responsibility.

"In managing your brand social media impact and reputation, an organisation should monitor, mingle and measure the impact with customers from time to time."

Additionally, she also urged participants to develop social media strategies and objectives for one's brand before jumping into the social media scene. She added that one has to do lot of research to know what customers really expected from a brand.

The conference also involves Philippines' famous Wordpress blogger, Oliver "Blogie" Robillo, on profit-making on the world's leading blogging platform. Later this afternoon, local blogger, Niki Cheong (nikicheong.com), will highlight what works best for online and traditional media.

A forum, "Freedom of Speech and Blogging: Finding the Harmony" is scheduled in the afternoon where the panelists include Ahirudin, Datin Paduka Marina Mahathir, Kenny Sia, Oliver Robillo of Minadanao Bloggers Community, Joyce Wong, Ahmad Nazuwan, Cheong, Amit Varma and Foong Cheng Leong.

Federal Territories and Urban WellBeing Minister, Datuk Raja Nong Chik Zainal Abidin is also expected to deliver the closing address this evening.