KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 17 (Bernama) -- The freedom offered by the alternative media via the internet has given rise to situations where lies can be made to seem like the truth and vice versa.

Former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad said just about anyone can post anything they like to say on the internet directly with no managers, editors or sub-editors changing any of the contents.

"Abusive language and racist remarks have also caused increased tension within society. Allegations of all kinds are made without any bases. Now, we're seeing doctored video clips being put out on YouTube," he said on his blog.

He alluded to the one showing Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak asking the audience in Penang recently whether they were ready for Barisan Nasional (BN), drawing what appeared to be cries of "No" from the crowd.

"It has been found that this was engineered by bringing a group into the crowd, equipping them with video cameras and microphones. When the PM asked 'Are you ready for BN', this group shouted 'No' in response.

"It seems that the whole audience shouted 'No'. Actually only one group shouted 'No' into their microphones. The 'Yes' from the big crowd was not recorded and not included in the video on YouTube," Dr Mahathir said.

"Immediately this particular recording was put on YouTube and it went viral. Eventhough the video by others showing the crowd raising their hands and saying 'Yes' was later put on YouTube, many do not bother to see it. They continue to believe in the fake video clips."

Noting that this was the direct result of the freedom offered by the alternative media, he said: "The freedom is almost total."

Dr Mahathir said the first people to exercise this freedom were purveyors of pornography who completely undermined the moral of children and young people.

"There can be no doubt that the increase in sex crimes such as rape, child abuse, extramarital sex among young people, pregnancies, illegal abortions, dumping of unwanted babies in rubbish heaps are partly due to access to pornography."

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Unbridled freedom of alternative media harmful - Mahathir