squeak. speak. roar.

I had a whole post typed out on the suit filed against Jeff. But good news, the suit is officially made public and you can down the statement of claims here. IN FULL. No more secrets. No shady shit.

Here’s the truth.

Click here to download statement of claims against Rocky.

Click here to download statement of claims against Jeff.

* * *

My two sen from all this?

I don’t know how politically-motivated this suit is. Is Umno unhappy that references were made that NST is being run by Singaporeans? It’s almost disturbing to read about being thought of as ‘Singapore’s spy’. Issues in contention that I am interested to follow is whether NST really are spin doctors. What would NST’s arguments and defences be? How will NSTP shake off it’s connection with their political masters? How will Brenden defend the plagiarism charge when it’s clear as day that the style was distinctively Mitch Albom’s?

I have no malicious intent as I didn’t know Jeff, Rocky, Kalimullah or Brenden personally prior to the suit. And it’s not because of these blogs’ influences that I believe that NST are spin doctors and Brenden is a plagiarist. It was through reading these blogs that I was informed but being informed is very different from being influenced.

Even so, how can you control what one should think if another’s reputation? I grew up being misunderstood all my life. In high school I had seniors using name-calling and spreading rumours to lower my reputation in front of others but I still stood firm with plenty of support from my friends. Berani kerana benar, takut kerana salah.

I totally understand that NST felt defamed and has resorted to legal remedies but this is one remedy that could potentially ruin one’s livelihood. This has suddenly become the battle of reputation … who’s got the bigger, better and more credible reputation? Two bloggers or a mainstream newspaper with readership that is more than Jeff’s and Rocky’s twice over? Who’s words are stronger? Who has the truth? Once the truth is out, there’s no turning back because this means the other is a liar. Logical deduction really with major repercussions.

While the bloggers risk losing money and their blogging credibility, the other risks losing investments, advertising, subscription and journalistic and corporate credibility - which would inevitably be link back to their ‘political masters’. I won’t like to be in that position if I was wrong and I sure hope NSTP and co realises this.

Let’s not forget how pathetic broadband penetration in Malaysia is. Does anybody realise how contained this issue is? It’s only limited to those who know about it or surf socio-politico blogs (or word of mouth but one still needs the internet for further information). How many people does NST think actually sees them in a negative light? (I have friends who don’t blog, who don’t bother with the internet, who live their lives in ‘ignorance’ somewhat).

And so what if Rocky and Jeff are ordered to discontinue their blog and to never blog again? Well, there’s just another 10 million of us mirroring their efforts. As I said earlier, we don’t fight fire with fire …. let’s learn to educate the masses on responsible blogging, reporting and writing; teach them accountability and let them grow. The only reason why people turn to blogs is because the mainstream media is unreliable. How hard is it to understand that? Blogs are the reaction to mainstream media so who has to take the first step in cleaning up their act?

You got it, mainstream media. As soon as they become the media that the rakyat deserves, you bet irresponsible bloggers would be a thing of the past. Heck, I might start buying the NST. But before that can happen, I will blog and continue to find information online. I want to be informed and I want to know the truth. Nobody can control how I think or how I conclude my views on anything.

Nobody can control any of you either. This is something that the powers that be need to understand.

Oh, and taking cue from N, this is going to be the last post that I’ll be discussing on the merits of the case. I don’t want to risk harming their case because of sub judice rules. And I’m takut kerana mungkin akan dipecat disaman :)