The IT Committee of the KL Bar, having organised two successful “mini” Forums on “Blogging & Defamation Law” and “Identity Theft in CyberSpace” in 2008, mooted a third Forum in 2009 but due to unforeseen circumstances, could not proceed with it. Intending to go beyond organising seasonal forums, the IT Committee embarked on this IT Law Forum some six months ago in the hope of making it an annual affair with the primary purpose of creating a platform for exchange of views and expansion of knowledge on areas of law related to IT.
This Forum, hosted at the KDU Law School, will see 3 topics being discussed. The opening topic concerns the discussion of imposing Internet Censorship in Malaysia. Borrowing the Chinese Government’s internet censorship’s nickname, ‘The Green Dam’, the topic is called, “The Green Dam – Internet Censorship…a Cat & Mouse Game?”. The principle discussion would be the legality of imposing such a “Dam” and the extent of censorship, if it ever happens in Malaysia. The IT Committee has long taken a stand that censorship on the internet is strongly disapproved. Instead, the appropriate approach would be to educate internet users on what should or should not be said on the Net. The speakers for this topic are Steven Gan of Malaysiakini, Jagdish Singh of Internet Society and H.R. Dipendra, an Advocate and Solicitor.
Another ‘hot’ topic up for discussion is the newly legislated Personal Data Protection Act. Professor Abu Bakar Munir of University Malaya, a leading academician on this area of law will be presenting his views on this new Act. It will be interesting to hear the views of the other delegates as well. This new Act has far reaching effects on the way Commercial businesses do their work and Professor Abu Bakar would be able to help elucidate on that.
The final topic will see a discussion on the future of Social Media. Recently, Newspapers in US and UK announced losses in advertising revenue. Advertisers now see the Social Media as an alternative place to advertise and this forum may discuss on that issue. The speakers would also likely discuss about the current status of social media in their industry and also the future of social media in Malaysia. This topic has attracted some top speakers, namely Nicholas Chay of Nuffnang, a social media advertising company with offices in Malaysia, Singapore, Australia and Philippines, well known blogger cum journalist Niki Cheong from The Star Newspaper and Azizi Jennis, Head of Online of DiGi.
Details of the Forum are:
There will be an Opening Address by Y.B. Dato’ Seri Utama Dr. Rais Yatim, Minister of Information, Communication and Culture.
Date
12 November 2010 (Friday)
Time
8.00 a.m. to 4.00 p.m.
Venue
KDU University College
Section 13 Campus
76 Jalan University
46200 Petaling Jaya
RM50 per participant. Only 100 seats available. Registration must be accompanied with payment to guarantee your place and strictly on a first-come, first-served basis. Click here for the registration form.
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I will be moderating the Future of Social Media session. Space is running out hence please sign up as soon as possible!