Web judicial interpretation targets fabrication
Updated: 2013-09-27 17:08
By Wang Zhenghua (chinadaily.com.cn)
|
|||||||||||
The main targets of a judicial interpretation to fight online rumors are those fabricating and releasing false information instead of Web users who forward it, legal experts said.
To define the criteria for convicting and sentencing offenders who spread rumors online, the Supreme People's Court and the Supreme People's Procuratorate issued a guideline on Sept 9 that states that Internet users who share false information face up to three years in prison if their posts are viewed 5,000 times or forwarded 500 times.
On Thursday, Xinhua News Agency invited a number of legal experts from the top court and procuratorate, as well as from the All China Lawyers Association to help the public better understand the guideline and tips on how regional law enforcers should use it.
According to Du Ximing, a judge at the top court, equal importance should be attached to fighting the rumor and protecting resident's freedom of speech, and criticism should not be suppressed. If a Web user did not intend to fabricate information to defame others, he or she should not be subject to criminal prosecution, he said.
Legal experts also said that it has been found in real practices that some local law enforcers have misused the interpretation, and they urged law enforcers to enhance supervision over them.
Liu Jingkun, another judge at the top court, said the Supreme People's Court attached great importance to the definition and has issued guidance to regional courts.
Related Stories
Fighting online rumors will protect free speech 2013-09-13 20:14
Judicial move aims at online rumors 2013-09-10 01:02
Web firms sued for spreading rumors 2013-09-07 02:23
'Top 10 online rumors' exposed 2013-09-06 14:23
Internet celebrities shouldn't amplify rumors 2013-08-26 20:10
Today's Top News
Russia to guard Syria chemical weapon destruction
Interpol issues arrest notice for 'white widow'
Vice-Premier urges more cooperation in Eurasia
Foreign suppliers dominate
Early fish ancestor found
Joining talks on trade in services
Courier reaches for the sky with drone
New legal era for Shanghai FTZ
Hot Topics
Lunar probe , China growth forecasts, Emission rules get tougher, China seen through 'colored lens', International board,
Editor's Picks
Flowing colors of 798 art district |
Nuclear plants see growth |
Nurses embark on journey to the West |
Old soldiers receive badge of recognition |
Watchdog bites with no favor |
New energy solutions |