By Natasha Prince
ID leader Patricia de Lille has called on government to crackdown and regulate blog websites and also the popular MXit text message service.
De Lille has also indicated the ID will ask the National Intelligence Agency to try to track down the author of defamatory statements made about the ID's Simon Grindrod on the blog.
"Another worrying development in cyberspace is the abuse of blogging, which allows anonymous individuals to post defamatory comments about anyone they choose, without the legal consequences they would face in other more reputable print and electronic media," said De Lille.
De Lille said people used these forums to defame "with impunity".
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"We recently came across a blog with slanderous comments about a famous rugby player, a respected reverend in the church and a prominent entertainer.
"This blog also included one of our senior politicians, Councillor Simon Grindrod. He reported this matter to the Caledon Square police and they are currently investigating it.
"The only way to put a stop to this is to use every legal option to hold not only the website, but also the perpetrator, responsible. This kind of thing must not go unchallenged."
She said she was also concerned about "a surge in activity among young children on MXit, which makes them vulnerable to sexual predators and paedophiles".
Last year, concerns were raised among some school principals and parents battling to cope with children who are seemingly addicted to the messaging service.
Some schools had reportedly banned cellphones from school premises, and some parents were monitoring their children's use of MXit, which charges only two cents to send a message.
Children are also able to send photographs via MXit.
Attempts to get hold of MXit owners by the time of going to press were unsuccessful.
- This article was originally published on page 3 of Cape Argus on May 21, 2007
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