Intensify efforts to keep cyberspace civil: Beijing Internet Court

Beijing Internet Court called for people in all walks of life to intensify efforts to purify cyberspace and suggested young people comment online more sensibly when supporting their idols.

The court filed 41,948 internet-related cases from January to November, of which, about 28 percent were related to reputation infringement.

Using research on reputation-related disputes, the court found that many defendants were university students or jobless young people aged 19 to 30, "and they were taken to our court, as they supported their own idols by insulting other celebrities with ugly words or falsified facts," said Jiang Ying, vice-president of the court.

Such defamation by fans or followers of singers, actors or actresses often happens on Chinese social media, including Sina Weibo and WeChat, Jiang said when explaining the court's research at a press conference on Dec 19.

A few followers took the defamation as support for their own idols, "which is neither sensible nor good to keep the online environment in order," she said, adding anyone's affection for a pop star cannot be above the law.

But she noted celebrities as public figures should accept comments on their performances, even though some sharp words might make them unhappy.

The court also noticed some young people pay a lot of money and use study time to support their idols or follow the stars by infringing on celebrities' privacy or even harming public order when hearing the cases.

"So we suggested government departments, social associations and internet enterprises join hands with us to help regulate young people's behaviors online to further keep cyberspace in order," said Zhang Wen, the court's president.

In addition, the court would increase efforts against online misconduct, such as making up fake data or spreading harmful information, by effectively solving related cases, she added.