Ethics and Freedom In Cyberspace

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Ethics and Freedom In Cyberspace

Nanfang Daily March 1

The Internet is nowadays becoming an inseparable part of people’s daily life.However, due to the lack of mature ethics and legal regulations, online rumors are often seen.Recently, the Cyberspace Administration of China, the country’s cybersecurity watchdog, has warned against using cyberspace to spread rumors or share illegal information.

There are worries that the administration’s moves are going against the Constitution, which stipulates that the freedom of speech is a part of citizens’ rights.Indeed, citizens do have the right to speak and write on the Internet, but while doing so they must refrain from infringing on others’ equal right to do so.Those who intentionally spread false information online do harm to other Internet users by tricking them into developing false concepts.

The Chinese Government began to tighten the reins on cyberspace in 2015 through the establishment of relevant laws and regulations, but the efforts are still falling far behind the rapid expansion of the Internet.

In real life, communication between people is based on mutual respect, which means one is fully aware that he or she should be responsible for what he or she says.Similarly, this rule also works in cyberspace.Featuring virtualization and the rapid speed of circulating information, cyberspace operates smoothly by depending on the balance between freedom of speech and respect for ethical codes.

FORMER PROPERTY TYCOON’S MICROBLOG CLOSED

The microblog accounts of Ren Zhiqiang, a former property tycoon, were shut down following the instruction of the Cyberspace Administration of China (CAC), China’s top Internet regulator, on February 28.

Ren had tens of millions of followers throughout various microblogging platforms before his accounts were closed.Netizens reported that Ren had regularly posted information that was the source of “vile influence,” according to the CAC.

Ren, 65, was chairman of the Beijing Huayuan Property Co.Ltd.before retirement.He is a member of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and a member of the Beijing Municipal Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference, the capital city’s political advisory body.

On February 29, the Xicheng District Committee of the CPC-where Ren’s Party membership is registered and managed-vowed to handle the issue according to Party rules.