Comment

When Internet vigilantism becomes libel to some

By Fan Zhengwei (China Daily)
Updated: 2009-12-09 09:52

Recently, the public has been concerned about how Internet vigilantes are dealt with by the government.

Following online allegations that Ms Liu Lijie, a chief prosecutor from Inner Mongolia, used an expensive SUV and built a luxury office building, the investigation results from the local Party disciplinary committee show that she had borrowed the car from a company and there was nothing unusual about the new office building. Her office has determined the online exposure as "libel". Meanwhile, it was alleged online that a senior Party law official in Fuxin city used drugs and engaged in sexual orgies. Police have detained Shangguan Hongxiang, a delegate to the local People's Congress, who blew the whistle, on charges of slander and framing.

But I doubt if the cases were handled properly. For example, if Liu borrowed the car, who did she borrow from? Was such borrowing legal? Was the exposure of such behavior "libel"? Then was it correct to let the Fuxin police investigate their chief? Was the police investigation independent and objective?

Instead, people were told the prosecutor had earned "a full mark in work appraisal" from authorities concerned, while the senior law official was said to be "strict with himself" and wouldn't have gone so low.

No doubt, civil servants are also entitled to citizens' rights, including the rights of reputation. However, they are in a more powerful position in comparison with ordinary people. As such, investigations into online allegations should be just and transparent. If such probes are conducted in a secretive way, or the government responded to the allegations with too simple answers, people may become more suspicious.

In a modern country with a rule of law, officials must tolerate criticism from citizens, even if they are wrong. The fast growth of the Internet has caused quite a lot of embarrassment to law enforcement. But law departments are also expected to be able to differentiate between reportage, slander and libel. This may also help people to know their rights and responsibilities when they make allegations on the Internet.

Statistics show that in recent years, in the government drive against corruption, the public has reported more than 80 percent of the cases. And Internet vigilantism has become a powerful weapon against corruption. As such, Internet vigilantes should be encouraged.

(Excerpts of a commentary that appeared on xinhuanet.com on Dec 8)