Reporter: Wang Bo, Yang Siqi
On the afternoon of the 18th, the Information Office of the State Council held a press conference on the high-quality development of online rule of law guarantees, at which the relevant situation of the "Provisions on the Governance of Online Violence Information" was introduced. The promulgation of the regulations and the holding of press conferences send a clear signal of the firm determination of relevant departments to severely punish cyberviolence and protect the rights and interests of netizens at multiple levels.
With a touch of the Enter key, a series of online violence of "pressing the button to hurt people" is like an invisible sharp knife, stabbing the victim in the heart, invisible but enough to kill. Turning their fingers into a fist, severely punishing cyberviolence, protecting the legitimate rights and interests of netizens, and maintaining good order on the Internet are the ardent calls of the majority of netizens.
In recent years, the penetration rate of the Internet has increased steadily, and the integration and symbiosis between the Internet and the real society have greatly changed people's production and lifestyle. At the same time, online violence is also a growing public concern.
In November 2020, after the "sister and brother fall death case" occurred in Chongqing, the child's biological mother Chen Moumou ran in many ways to seek justice for the two young sons who were mutilated.
In February this year, in order to gain attention, Jiangsu Chen Moumou spliced pictures downloaded from social platforms with photos of female teachers in a hot incident, and posted them on the Internet with inappropriate remarks, attracting a large number of netizens to irrationally abuse female teachers.
In each case, cyberbullying is like a cold arrow shot from a hidden corner, bringing incurable pain and even fatal injury to the parties.
Some "human flesh searches" invade privacy and attract unwarranted harassment; some insult and insult, fabricate rumors, and demean the personality and reputation of the parties; Some of them are grafting flowers and trees, spreading rumors and slandering ......
During the two sessions of the National People's Congress this year, the "Work Report of the Supreme People's Court" showed that in the past year, 32 online defamation prosecution cases were concluded in response to online violence "pressing the button to hurt people" and "pressing the button to kill", and the number of guilty people was convicted, an increase of 10.3% and 102.4% respectively year-on-year.
The harm of online violence goes far beyond these cases. Many hidden cyberbullies have disrupted the lives and work of many netizens, disrupted the order of the Internet, and damaged the Internet ecology.
For some time now, relevant departments have continuously introduced measures and carried out special actions to promote the rectification of online violence on the track of the rule of law.
In 2022, the Cyberspace Administration of China (CAC) issued the Notice on Effectively Strengthening the Governance of Online Violence, focusing on rectifying online violence.
In 2023, the Supreme People's Court, the Supreme People's Procuratorate, and the Ministry of Public Security jointly issued the "Guiding Opinions on Punishing Violations and Crimes of Online Violence in Accordance with Law" to strengthen the punishment of illegal and criminal activities of online violence.
The Provisions on the Governance of Information on Online Violence, jointly promulgated by the Cyberspace Administration of China, the Ministry of Public Security, the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, and other departments, is the first special anti-cyberviolence legislation promulgated in the form of departmental rules in mainland China. The provisions propose to adhere to the principles of prevention at the source, combination of prevention and control, treatment of both symptoms and root causes, and coordinated co-treatment, and prevent and rectify online violence throughout the entire process and cycle from multiple links such as the release, dissemination, and diffusion of information on online violence.
It is particularly noteworthy that the provisions clarify and refine the responsibilities and obligations of relevant governance entities, especially key entities such as network information service providers.
The provisions also put forward clear and detailed requirements for entities to prevent and warn of online violence information, promptly handle it, and protect users' rights and interests. In particular, the relevant governance entities were asked to "give priority to handling complaints and reports of information related to online violence against minors", and netizens commented that it was "particularly heartwarming".
In response to the "no cost for bad words" that may be brought about by the online anonymity mechanism, the provisions make it clear that if users do not provide real identity information, network information service providers shall not provide relevant services for them. Promoting authentic identity verification will help urge netizens to make reasonable and lawful statements and be responsible for their words and deeds.
The vitality of the system lies in its implementation. The "Provisions on the Governance of Information on Online Violence" will come into force on August 1, and the public has high hopes.
The key to managing online violence in accordance with regulations and laws lies in implementation.
The performance of the main responsibilities of relevant governance entities, especially key entities such as network information service providers, is particularly critical. Abandon one-sided assessment systems and operating rules such as "black traffic is also traffic", and avoid platforms becoming channels for the dissemination of online violent information, but instead become a space for spreading and expanding positive energy.
To control cyberviolence, you can't fight alone, you must form a rope and clench your fingers into a fist to form a strong joint force.
The joint promulgation of regulations by the Cyberspace Administration of China, the Ministry of Public Security, the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, and other departments is a strong signal of comprehensive management. A clear cyberspace is inseparable from the co-construction, co-governance and sharing of the government, platforms and netizens.
Increase publicity and guidance on the "Provisions on the Governance of Information on Online Violence", so that this provision can penetrate into the hearts of more netizens. At the same time, platforms should refine regulations and take strict measures, and inform users in a timely manner, so that participants in all kinds of online activities know their fears, abide by the bottom line, spontaneously cultivate and consciously maintain online order, and jointly create a clean, healthy and orderly online ecology.
(Title picture comic: Pan Hongyu)
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