Regulation can weed out abuse of Internet
- Source: Global Times
- [00:51 December 21 2009]
- Comments
By Wu Huaiting
Let's face it. There is information manipulation in China, and not necessarily by the government.
Many have the blind faith that the Internet delivers information without manipulation. But there are online pushers who undermine online democracy.
There are so-called PR companies that skillfully manipulate public opinion by mobilizing thousands of paid netizens to post doctored or fabricated content in various forums.
The online pushers take advantage of the easy flow of information online and feed on public opinion for commercial interests or personal gains. When we read the posts that expose the latest dark secrets, we become indignant and demand justice. We may think we were doing the right thing, but actually we are helping these online PR companies to serve their clients.
With a budget of 50,000 yuan ($7,322), these "black hands" had even influenced court rulings by creating online hype, through a barrage of posts, in certain cases on the 300 most popular Chinese forums, CCTV reported Sunday.
That should serve as a wake-up call for those who believe the Internet doesn't need any kind of regulation.
From its birth, the Internet has been hailed for its potential to facilitate free flow of information, which is deemed important to modern democracy.
Especially in China, the Internet has enabled many ordinary people to deal with social problems, expose political corruption, unearth business secrets and ensure justice. The importance and influence of the Internet has even gained official recognition as a channel for grass-roots voices.
The existence of online pushers reveals another darker side of the story. That makes it just another medium requiring regulation like any communication platform.
The lack of regulation does not really benefit freedom of expression as professional pushers damage credibility of online content. When people presume manipulation, lose confidence in the medium and stop taking it seriously, it would be a setback to the growth of the Internet as a new media channel.
Internet information regulation does not mean conventional censorship applied online. The model of an editorial group purveying handpicked information won't suit the new media at all. The anonymity on the Web has been a boost to the online public sphere. A set of rules that both prevent the abuse of the Internet and protect the freedom of online expression would be ideal.
False information, irresponsible attacks, and manipulated public opinion need to be kept out.
