New Web realities need smart governance

Source:Global Times Published: 2014-10-23 0:18:02

Fang Zhouzi, a science writer known for his debunking efforts, disappeared from China's social media Tuesday night. One day later, Sina Editor-in-Chief Chen Tong announced his resignation. The two incidents are unconnected. However, their closeness has led people to speculate that there must be an association. 

Having been in his position for 17 years, Chen was dubbed Sina's "Iron editor-in-chief." Many commented online that his departure marks the end of an era for Sina.

The Internet is a platform for the collision of different ideas. Despite being fictional on the surface, the present-day online world is realistic. There was freedom and no restraints at the beginning. However, as the Internet has gradually integrated with daily life, Internet responsibility has to be highlighted.

All Net users should take responsibility for using the service. In particular, influential figures need to be discreet in their words and deeds.

Many online celebrities feel troubled over the enhancement of Internet governance. This is understandable. Those who are disobedient to order have dreamed of an Internet utopia without any restraints.

However, it's an irreversible trend that the Internet will integrate with real life. When an increasing number of people conduct banking transactions and daily purchasing via the Internet, we have no choice but to regulate it.

The Internet therefore has become one of the places with the strongest political atmosphere in China.

It is fraught with myriad conflicts and depression, posing threats to China's social governance. It's necessary for administrators to consider how to control it and how to avoid it turning into a "powder keg."   

The impacts of the Internet on society are two-sided. On one hand, it injects new impetus to reform. On the other, it challenges social governance with its destructiveness.

It's a social norm that some would feel uncomfortable toward restraints on speech and actions during the process of China's reform. According to Western values, confronting this norm is hailed as being a "noble cause." 

But noticeably, safeguarding China's sustainable development and stability is also a noble goal. One at least should have the rationality to make his or her choices for development of the whole of society.

Active and outspoken Net users should take a cooperative attitude toward Internet management. Meanwhile, administrators and  mainstream  Chinese society should upgrade their understanding of management as well as regulatory approaches. 



Posted in: Editorial

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