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Cafe
Latte
Chat
Compiled by MICHELLE TAM
Martin: Prior to the 2008 elections, the
Internets biggest social media influences
were bloggers. Since then, Facebook and
Twitter have become major players. Will
social media use become even more influential? Is the impact positive or negative?
Should people like Papagomo be able to say
whatever they want with unrestricted freedom?
Zara: In the past, restrictions upon freedom
of speech were very political in nature. I dont
think that anybody can be allowed to say
whatever they want. The boundaries that I
would support are, for instance, hate speech.
But there must be a healthy debate regarding the restriction of freedoms, There shouldnt
be a top-bottom approach where one authority decides what limitations to put on freedom
of speech and then protects people from information.
As to whether social media has gone too far
I think analysing social media as if its a sentient animal is erroneous. A lot of political
parties say Social media is being bad to me
and treat it like a conglomeration of people.
But social media is a reflection of society,
not a tool in itself. People have always thought
these thoughts. The difference is that now we
actually have avenues to speak out and express
ourselves.
Niki: We have to look at social media as
individuals who are speaking and look at the
culture of how people behave when using this
technology. Although these are thoughts that
people are voicing out, its human nature to
already have certain barriers when talking to
others in real life.
In this Cafe Latte Chat, we bring together lawyer syahredzan Johan, digital strategist Zara Kahan,
senior social media strategist niki Cheong, senior asset management analyst Kavilan nakaswaram
and shahid shayaa, who is former private secretary to Minister in the Prime Ministers department
datuk seri Idris Jala. The chat was moderated by star Online news editor Martin Vengadesan.
discuss what the terms of hate speech are. And
Syahredzan, if we introduce hate speech legislation here, would we have to craft a new
act?
Syahredzan: Id say our Penal Code would
suffice. You dont need a specific media council
or a specific minister to censure it, because
youve currently got laws to do that. its a normal criminal penalty.
Lets get social: Martin (third from right) moderating the Cafe Latte Chat with (from left) shahid, niki,
Zara, Kavilan and syahredzan.
But once we go online, its a different avenue
with different rules. Initially there was so
much anonymity, and weve taken those elements without realising we are much more
public in our profiles now, and thats whats
making the difference.
Martin: Has social media improved communication in Malaysian society?
Niki: Finally, everyone has a platform to
speak up. As someone who grew up in the 80s,
I dont think we were in an environment
where we were encouraged to speak up.
Suddenly, we had blogs and everything; thats
why I think the adoption rate is so high. People