The phrase itself seems to trace back to the Bible, according to some, and yet others believe that Edward B Lytton is the one who coined the popular phrase in its current form, ' The Pen is mightier than the Sword'.
From the campaign trail in the US to the Blogsites of Kuala Lumpur, more and more people are resorting to the many different media available in order to find out about the topics and issues that are close to their heart. Whatmore, in Malaysia, with the recent arrest and detention of a popular Anti Government Blog Editor, Raja Petra Kamaruddin, internet users find no shortage of these materials.
It matters not that it looks like a piece of script from a Hollywood movie, but as long as it involves some high profile politician, and contents that sound suspicious, it can be the truth. Perhaps, this is unique only in Malaysia. Perhaps not. A highly placed Senior Management official of the Country's English Daily, long considered a confidant and 'press advisor' of the outgoing Prime Minister, was revealed to have tendered his resignation, perceived to be a 'clear out' before the transition of power takes effect in full. This official was thought to have used the daily to promote the Prime Minister and with his column, put paid to those against him! Such perception itself lends credence to these bloggers and postings.
Since the 12th General Election, more and more internet users are turning to online portals and popular 'So-Po' blogs have taken a life of their own. Bloggers it seems, are here to stay.
But that remains that. Bloggers also seem to have taken a role in public life. More and more internet users are turning to these bloggers, in hope of uncovering the truth. Civil liberties action groups look to these bloggers for events and vigils in support for those detained. Truth, they say is stranger than fiction. But how far does fiction go? And when will the conspiracy subscribers stop subscribing to these theories?
Apparently, short messaging system exchanges can give rise to abuse of power. If a reader is to believe the different exchanges between two cell phone numbers, thought to be that of Najib Tun Razak (The Deputy Prime Minister) and that of Shafee Abdullah ( lawyer to Razak Baginda, the murder accused) then surely there are a lot of others who must now stop sending sms's. It seems, according to the blog author, the exchanges amount to abuse of power and perhaps even, perversion of justice by the sender of the sms, thought to be the Deputy Prime Minister.
Which brings us back to the heading, that is. Is the pen really mightier than the sword?
Here are some questions for you to make up your own mind.
1.Do bloggers blog responsibly just because they identify themselves?
2.And with this identity, post stories and exchanges of sms to lead their readers to believe their point?
3.And does this writer who wants to put his point across that Bloggers remain bloggers, and that their writing remain that of their point of view, have that same right to inform his readers that these bloggers do not necessarily know the truth?
4.Does that mean that this writer is a 'spin doctor' just because he does not belief that all that is written is THE TRUTH?
Go figure...
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