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Draft on legal regulation of Internet mulled
Source: Xinhua |
December 21, 2012, Friday
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Print Edition
Print Edition
A LEGAL framework covering the cyber world is urgently needed to prevent the Internet's positive effects being dwarfed by online regularities.
China's top legislature will discuss a draft decision next week to strengthen Internet information protection during its bimonthly session.
Undoubtedly the Internet has exerted great positive social effect in spreading assistance, promoting information transparency and uncovering social unfairness and official corruption.
The Internet and social networking services like Sina Weibo, China's popular microblogging service, have broadened channels for people to make their voices heard and, in some cases, fulfill their rights of supervision.
Over the past month, the wrongdoings of more than 10 officials have been exposed by Internet whistle blowers. These officials, whose transgressions have included sexual misconduct and the acquisition of costly property and other assets, have been investigated and will be brought to justice accordingly.
But as Constitution researcher Yin Xiaohu said, the Internet is a double-edged sword. The positive effect of the Internet can easily slip into paralysis if its "negative effect" gains the upper hand.
Online muckraking
Such negative factors as personal information theft and trading, online attacks and xenophobia have posed new challenges to building of a healthy, positive cyber environment.
Earlier this month, director Li Jing who was in charge of the publicity for the film "The Last Supper" admitted to having recruited Internet mercenaries to give the film high marks and spread favorable comments online.
She said the team had to resort to this unfortunate ploy after her film had been smeared by mercenaries hired by others to ruin its chances at the box office.
Some Internet users speculate that some online muckraking, which brings down some officials, is manipulated by their official rivals trying to topple them.
If there is no strict legal punishment for violations in cyber space, the negative factors will run wild to destroy Internet order and even work online to incite violence, which will cause great damage to individuals and society.
Last year, a man in Sichuan Province was detained for five days for spreading online rumors. The man fabricated "a salt shortage" post online after a tsunami crippled Japan's Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant, which police said would trigger panic buying of iodized salt (which does not prevent radiation sickness) amid fears of radiation.
The country has a series of rules and regulations on the management of the Internet, but no specific laws have been enacted.
For a nation with more than 500 million Internet users, it is important to ensure the Internet remains a positive force in building a harmonious society.
China's top legislature will discuss a draft decision next week to strengthen Internet information protection during its bimonthly session.
Undoubtedly the Internet has exerted great positive social effect in spreading assistance, promoting information transparency and uncovering social unfairness and official corruption.
The Internet and social networking services like Sina Weibo, China's popular microblogging service, have broadened channels for people to make their voices heard and, in some cases, fulfill their rights of supervision.
Over the past month, the wrongdoings of more than 10 officials have been exposed by Internet whistle blowers. These officials, whose transgressions have included sexual misconduct and the acquisition of costly property and other assets, have been investigated and will be brought to justice accordingly.
But as Constitution researcher Yin Xiaohu said, the Internet is a double-edged sword. The positive effect of the Internet can easily slip into paralysis if its "negative effect" gains the upper hand.
Online muckraking
Such negative factors as personal information theft and trading, online attacks and xenophobia have posed new challenges to building of a healthy, positive cyber environment.
Earlier this month, director Li Jing who was in charge of the publicity for the film "The Last Supper" admitted to having recruited Internet mercenaries to give the film high marks and spread favorable comments online.
She said the team had to resort to this unfortunate ploy after her film had been smeared by mercenaries hired by others to ruin its chances at the box office.
Some Internet users speculate that some online muckraking, which brings down some officials, is manipulated by their official rivals trying to topple them.
If there is no strict legal punishment for violations in cyber space, the negative factors will run wild to destroy Internet order and even work online to incite violence, which will cause great damage to individuals and society.
Last year, a man in Sichuan Province was detained for five days for spreading online rumors. The man fabricated "a salt shortage" post online after a tsunami crippled Japan's Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant, which police said would trigger panic buying of iodized salt (which does not prevent radiation sickness) amid fears of radiation.
The country has a series of rules and regulations on the management of the Internet, but no specific laws have been enacted.
For a nation with more than 500 million Internet users, it is important to ensure the Internet remains a positive force in building a harmonious society.
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