Latest batch of rogue netizens exposed
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The latest group of netizens has been named and shamed for spreading online rumors and disturbing public order by a website that assesses Internet credibility in Shanghai.
The details of 14 netizens, including their online user names, real surnames, IP addresses, real addresses and legal violations from the period of June through October were posted on shcois.net, a website run by the Shanghai Information Network Security Association and supported by the municipal public security bureau.
The latest entry was about a man surnamed Wang in the Kongjiang Sancun neighborhood in Shanghai, who on Oct 6 spread online rumors about fake murders. According to the entry, Wang has since repented following police intervention.
Other violations exposed include spreading rumors about bombing a government building, posting articles on how to make explosives and promoting the flying of model planes when the city had banned flying objects during the Expo.
Three of the 14 exposed were fined, while the rest were cautioned by the police, according to the website. No one was detained or jailed.
Earlier this year, the website publicized the details of 66 netizens who committed similar violations between April 2007 and May 2010.
However, many netizens have expressed concern that such exposure means their online activities are under surveillance.
"Those who often make online comments ought to check to see if they are on a blacklist," a netizen who uses the name ruinwind said on a micro blog at sina.com.
In contrast, some other netizens find that exposure is beneficial to maintaining a healthy Internet environment. "More exposures could help reduce fake information online," said another netizen who uses the alias Tang Qiwei.
Zhou Baohua, an associate professor at Fudan University, said there is a need for specific laws or regulations to determine whether citizens have crossed the line in expressing themselves and spreading rumors online, taking issues of privacy into account.
"Compared to countries with advanced Internet-related laws, China still has a long way to go," he said.
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