Radio Poll Gives Thumbs Up To Blogs

“Would negative comments in blogs jeopardise (mengganggu-gugat) the democratic process?” That was the day's question for the daily poll over Radio 24 on 20 February. Eighty per cent of the respondents disagreed as they said blogs acted as a good check and balance, viewers could make their own decisions after visiting different blogs and that blogging was relevant to the democratisation process.

One respondent said some of the criticisms in the blogs could be constructive and likened them to the role of the opposition parties in checking the government. Kudos Radio 24 for broadcasting the results of the poll and the reasons that obviously give a fresh perspective to the antagonism against bloggers expressed by many Barisan Nasional leaders, including the outgoing minister of information, who has control over Radio 24 as well. The latest is a statement by the outgoing minister of culture, arts and heritage, Rais Yatim, that being critical of the government is not Malaysian culture. Of the 20 per cent who responded in the affirmative to the poll question, one of the respondents said blogs had the potential to affect unity. The results of the daily polls are announced at 6.35pm. Our note: we wonder how many people responded to the poll, but the obvious choice of answer is encouraging!

http://www.aliran.com/elections/2008/02/radio-poll-give-thumbs-up-to-blogs.html