ELection fever is catching on.

This, coupled with the sonic speed by which information is transmitted in our highly-connected world, is bound to result in the contours of information and fact being blurred, especially when particular interests are at stake.

A case in point was a blog posted last Wednesday (see http://amirmu.blogspot.com/2008/01/why-new-malaysian-essays-1-will-not-be_23.html ) by writer and filmmaker Amir Muhammad about New Malaysian Essays 1, the book his company is publishing.

A compilation of essays by six writers, including Amir, the book was apparently shunned by the printer, even though a verbal agreement had been made less than 24 hours before about the company handling the book.

Amir said that he was told the corporation was "unable to associate itself with the book" and refused to print or distribute it upon the "Datuk’s orders" because apart from having "vulgar words", the book was also "politically sensitive" especially with elections around the bend.

The "Datuk" in question was the company’s chief executive officer.

Immediately, support for Amir and his new book filled his blog. A couple of postings commented on the "Datuk" and on big corporations.

The mood on the blog was one of cheering David on against Goliath, reflecting the growing sense of disaffection about restrictions on the freedom of expression and information.

However, a phone call and an e-mail to the company concerned lent a rather different perspective on the issue.

The "Datuk" himself explained he had not given any instructions on Amir’s book. Instead, his staff decided the book could not be printed by their printing arm because of vulgarities in Amir’s essay.

There was no political pressure not to print or distribute Amir’s book. The decision had nothing to do with the impending election.

In fact, the "Datuk" hadn’t even read the manuscript at the point when he first spoke with me, but since Amir’s blog was creating a stir, he called for a copy and asked his staff to explain the decision. After contacting Amir, I too had a chance to read his "Unwelcome Words" essay.

In typical jocular fashion, Amir lists numerous colloquialisms that Malaysians use. Quite a few of them were indeed colourfully vulgar, making specific reference to female body parts, including our mother’s. Personally, I wasn’t offended. Amir has a way with words and I found his essay highly entertaining and somewhat educational.

But I can imagine swathes of other Malaysians, what more the conservative ranks within the powers-that-be, being really upset that such words should see print. Additionally, printers in Malaysia are bound by the Printing Presses and Publications Act which clearly stipulates in Section 4 that printing any document that is "obscene or otherwise against public decency" is an offence punishable by a jail term of not more than three years or fine not exceeding RM20,000 or both.

Under the Act, the government also has absolute powers to revoke a printing permit in the same way that it can suspend or revoke a newspaper’s publishing permit.

And so, it would seem that Amir’s blog wasn’t quite as factual as some were wont to think.

In fact, the "Datuk" pointed out that his bookstore’s magazine had done a cover story on Amir and another Malaysian as "Men of Artistic Valour", hence demonstrating the company’s commitment to supporting local writers even if they were controversial.

How then does one account for Amir’s blog? Either the company representative who spoke to Amir misrepresented the situation or Amir himself misunderstood and perchance used creative licence to promote his new book?

It’s not for me to ascertain which actually happened, but the point I’m making is that we really shouldn’t believe everything we read. Especially with the impending election raising temperatures, it is imperative that all of us – whether we read the mainstream press, blogs or alternative news sites – question the veracity of what is presented to us.

Another example of how misinformation is spread by even the most well-intentioned individuals happened earlier this week.

With the corporate restructuring that has resulted in theSun being placed under Berjaya Corporation, an e-mail was sent out to at least two e-groups about how the editorial team had been changed with immediate effect and that notable columnists no longer had their columns. The forwarded e-mail ended with a rallying cry to boycott the mainstream press.

The information in the message was highly inaccurate, but without checking its veracity, the message was quickly forwarded and used to promote a civil-society led campaign by the very people who would accuse government of propaganda and misinformation.

In this information age, we are all responsible for how information is generated and consumed. This coming election especially, let’s be a little more conscientious and responsible about how we do this.

BECAUSE of the corporate restructuring of theSun and The Edge, I will be returning to The Edge. This will be the last time I pen my Shape of a Pocket column since I started writing it in April, 2005.

I’ve been privileged to have worked with some of the industry’s finest editors here at theSun and to have had column space in an esteemed, award-winning newspaper.

To readers, thank you for your faithful support and for reading and on occasion, critically responding to my column. It has been a rewarding and worthwhile experience.

Jacqueline Ann Surin believes that with the support of the new management, theSun will be ably steered by the leadership of its editors to retain its well-earned esteem and branding. She is assistant news editor at theSun. Comments: feedback@thesundaily.com