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Self-discipline online

(China Daily)
Updated: 2009-01-09 07:39

What will it be like if one kind of wrong is done to curb another?

Persistently chasing a person for more information following an exposure of his or her misdeeds on the Internet is such a game.

Just as a kangaroo court is illegal, no Internet user has the right to harass, let alone punish, another person.

The uploading of "common rules for Internet chasing of people" on several websites starting from last week is a moral challenge to the belief that ends justify the means.

The rules call for self-discipline and abiding by the principles of credibility, fairness, transparency, safety and mutual help when chasing a person on the Internet.

Protection of privacy is also included in the rules. But one of them stipulates the the privacy protection rule does not apply when an exposure of corruption is involved.

Internet users chasing a person could be rope-walking between moral principles and legal codes. Even an exposure of a corruption case does not justify such harassment. That is not to say that in some cases netizens do not have the right to more information, especially on corruption in public life.

It clearly is a double-edged sword. But it is possible to use it in order to exert public opinion pressure. Exposures of more details on the Net can help fight such social evils as corruption.

If so, the rules made and published online by Internet users should be lauded as a positive step that can encourage more netizens to exercise self-discipline.

If anything, behind these rules is the awareness among quite a number of Internet users that cyber space is not a free-for-all zone where people can do whatever they want.

Rules are important but never enough without self-discipline from civilized citizens to maintain a good social order. Likewise, Internet websites managers can never be expected to have order in their domains without the cooperation from Internet users.

Yes, the rule of law is important. It is indeed necessary for everyone including Internet users to abide by laws. But a harmonious social order is not just about laws. The awareness of law-abiding citizens makes a great difference.

Related legal codes on clear-cut descriptions on accountability for violation of rights online were discussed at a session of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress last year-end. If adopted, they will help better regulate the cyber space.

The efforts by an increasing number of Internet users to apply rules of their own for self-discipline will complement the legal specifications in the making.

True, not all Internet users are equally sensible and law-abiding. So it would be naive to assume that the rules for self-discipline are going to work overnight. But one thing is for sure - it would be a good start.

(China Daily 01/09/2009 page8)