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note: The writer, Dr Gan Su-lin, is presently Director, School of Technology for the Arts & Centre for Culture and Communication, Republic Polytechnic. Dr. Gan--together with MP Penny Low and myself--was recently involved in the round-table on media issues organised by Straits Times (you can read the article here), the same round-table that forms the background to my own discussion in "The Government should let the hotel open a bak chor mee stall". Dr. Gan has very kindly sent us some comments via email, observing that her views seem "oversimplified" as presented in the ST article. She gives us permission to publish them but also reminds the reader: the views expressed are purely her own and do not represent those of any formal or informal institution with which she might be associated.
Educate, Not Legislate by Gan Su-lin
Yes, unfortunately my position wasn't quite accurately represented in the ST article. As you may recall from your participation in the roundtable, my position was that whether it be stringent regulation or a freer hand, the same standard should apply to both mainstream and on-line media,. It just isn't fair to have different expectations and regulatory standards when both forms of media contribute to the shaping of our thinking and beliefs.
Having said this about fairness and equal standards, I still maintain my position that both mainstream and on-line media are mass media; and, both formal and citizen journalists should file their reports and thoughts responsibly and accurately. All must realize the impact they may have on their readers' constructions of reality.
My mantra has long been "Educate, not legislate" and it's very much the message I "preach". I'm optimistic that proper education will help us mature as media consumers and as purveyors of information and opinion. The blogosphere will mature; members just need guidance and time. For now, we have an obligation to do what we can to ensure that truth will indeed prevail in a free marketplace of ideas, rather than get lost in or drowned by half-truths and falsities.
It's a long, exciting road ahead; and, we just have to resist the urge to reactively slap on restrictions that will impede the maturation. Truly, what doesn't kill us will make us stronger! Recognition must be made that posting to any forum is a privilege not an entitlement, and it's a privilege that we should never take lightly.
The critical point with which I close this is: Think about yourself, your blog contributors, me ... remember that we represent a small albeit growing percentage of Singaporeans who have been privileged enough to enjoy education that imparted linguistic fluency and the ability to discern fact from fiction with reasonable accuracy. What will (or can) the blogging community do to help educate its members and visitors to aid the blogosphere's maturation? More important, can we ensure that we move beyond just knowing what to do and actually doing it!
This is the imperative we must ponder.
