Malaysians form National Alliance of Bloggers

Due to some political heat and libel suits being hurled on Malaysian blogosphere, bloggers have organized a group called the National Alliance of Bloggers.

The National Alliance of Bloggers’ main goal is to “protect bloggers,” and to try to get the government to see their point of view and why they have made certain postings, the new group’s president, Ahirudin Attan, wrote on his popular blog “Rocky’s Bru.”

About 50 of Malaysia’s popular online personalities held a meeting and decided to start the organization because a few bloggers were being “demonized again and again” by the government, Ahirudin said. {source: Yahoo/AP}

Here in the Philippines, we have the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP). Several people/bloggers have also encouraged me to set-up/initiate one for bloggers and discussions for a possible org has been on-going (although I still have reservations). We still have to iron out some issues but I believe it should be discussed more widely among stakeholders. It just so happen that in Malaysia, a series of events have actually prompted to put up one this quick.

What you guys think?

Abe Olandres

Abe is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of YugaTech with over 20 years of experience in the technology industry. He is one of the pioneers of blogging in the country and considered by many as the Father of Tech Blogging in the Philippines. He is also a technology consultant, a tech columnist with several national publications, resource speaker and mentor/advisor to several start-up companies.

https://www.yugatech.com

16 Comments

Noemi says:

18 years ago

If you will spearhead it, I will join and support the cause. Let’s not wait for issues to spring on us. In fact we should start specific legislation on blogging , online publishing and the like.
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jhay says:

18 years ago

I agree, blog parteehs and meetups are good for networking and meeting bloggers offline and to have fun of course, but when serious issues face us bloggers, a more serious network or grouping of support would definitely help.
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JC John SESE Cuneta says:

18 years ago

I agree with ate Noemi. Let’s not wait, let’s start now so when the government or any money and power-hungry conglomerate wants to hit us bad, they will face a wall instead.

Right now, they are hitting us individually, but if we gather together, form a union of our own, we will be stronger.

I suggest we follow EFF.org, I am a proud member and supporter of EFF (got an EFF car sticker for my 1 year membership), but as EFF said, they need to know the laws of the other countries to fully support them and give them protection.

So I strongly suggest we form a union, then tie-up with EFF. Let’s not wait something similar with Singapore and Malaysia to happen in our country. I tell you, the Philippine government is already looking at it, and they plan to establish an MTRCB-like body to control the local internet usage (including gaming). That’s how much I can divulge..
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Gail says:

18 years ago

Well, at least “receipts” won’t be our only reason should we decide to push through with this :D
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Kiven says:

18 years ago

the ball is starting to roll, i guess we cant be simply bloggers anymore eh?

Im hoping that if something is similar indeed set up, it will be for the majority’s benefit and not just for a select few.
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Aja Lapus says:

18 years ago

I tell you, the Philippine government is already looking at it, and they plan to establish an MTRCB-like body to control the local internet usage (including gaming).

Could there really be? Them politicians themselves (or at least a ghost blogger for them) write online for at least their campaigns, don’t they? And besides, AFAIK, they couldn’t even enact Internet laws for true Internet crime (i.e., phishing, cracking, malware distributions, ddos/dos attacks).

Oh, but, of course. I’d join you before I even have to—I really agree we shouldn’t wait.
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JC John SESE Cuneta says:

18 years ago

@Aja

Yep, and the real question now is, will they be able to implement it? That remains to be seen. I’m still thinking deeply about their invitation to join them as representative of the gaming community and gaming industry.

Remember GMA’s CyberCorridor? That’s related to all these…
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Jonas Diego says:

18 years ago

Better to do it now before some incident occurs that will force us to organize one. :)
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Zimm says:

18 years ago

Yes, start organizing now. But let’s ensure that we have a legal person among us (i.e. atty@work, etc) because organizing one does not only mean electing officers but having a legal status. My worry though is representation. Should it be a bloggers congress with area reps? or just one blogger union with officers elected at large? Zimm
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Maria Jose says:

18 years ago

I think it would be very hard to have just one organization for all bloggers since we are such a diverse group of people. But yeah, if Abe spearheads one, I’ll probably join.
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Sonnie says:

18 years ago

I have verbalized this one to you Yuga, though I understand your reservations. But we need to start somewhere and meet half way.
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Jaypee says:

18 years ago

If ever this Blogger’s Alliance would be formed, is it a requirement that the blogger be from the Philippines or being a Filipino blogger enough?

If I’m qualified, count me in! :)
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calvin says:

18 years ago

It’s easy to understand why bloggers in Malaysia need the association. Malaysia is a little less democratic unlike Philippines. You can’t voice your opinions freely in the media and blogsphere without the big bro watching your back.

The Government is playing a trick as well – they give with left hand and taking it back with the right hand. You guys are lucky – have lots of freedom to express your opinions
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JC John SESE Cuneta says:

18 years ago

Actually, that will come to an end ;) I’ve telling this time and again that the current government is planning to take more control of the cyberspace. We will soon become China (if it worsens).
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journeyist says:

17 years ago

I guess this alliance should be composed of Filipino bloggers anywhere in the world since blogging really happens in cyberspace and in no one particular country. And yes, there’s no need to wait. The threat is enough to form the alliance at once. If the threat becomes more manifest, then the membership shoots up immediately…
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