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Stop spreading false news

(China Daily)
Updated: 2010-12-14 08:09

The false news of the death of Jin Yong, the famous kungfu novelist, spread like wildfire after a micro-blogger posted it online, says an article in China Youth Daily. Excerpts:

The casual online apology with a "correction" after a micro-blogger posted the false news of Jin Yong's death does not absolve the rumormonger of his/her "crime".

It is true that in this information age no one can spread false news and get away with it for long. But no one has the right to spread falsity in the first place.

Though the rumor has not harmed the micro-bloggers' community, it caused enough anxiety among people who read or heard about Jin's death. Those who played a key role in spreading the false news and then denied it online are guilty of trying to "avoid disaster prevention by flaunting disaster relief", the very logic they accuse officials of using to save their skin.

Netizens' has become a powerful voice and online public opinion can exert great pressure on governments. That's why the spread of false news online is a matter of concern.

Micro-blogs are a gift to Chinese people, and are playing an increasingly important role in today's social and political life. But they have also become a breeding ground for people who love spreading false news.

Netizens should form a watchdog of net-savvy bloggers who can check the authenticity of blogs and immediately post denials online if they are rumors to thwart mischief-makers from causing disorder and commotion.

Online rumormongers should realize that they are causing a great damage to serious netizens and undermining the voice of micro-bloggers that can play a very constructive role in building a harmonious society.