Anti-corruption through microblogs

From Wiki China org cn
Anti-corruption through microblogs.

Anti-corruption through microblogs (微博反腐) means Internet users use microblogs – a new and rapidly developing social media channel – to supervise, criticize and expose corruption related to abusing one's authority of office.

Anti-corruption through microblog campaigns began to sweep across China in 2011. Apart from individuals who have made it their personal mission to expose corruption on their personal microblog accounts, the campaign has also been joined by Party and government organizations, as well as public security and judiciary organs.

Statistics show that the number of microblogs tagged "anti-corruption" on Sina.com exceeded 800 by the end of 2012, and the number is expected to grow.

The anti-corruption through microblogs campaign reflects the flexibility and adaptively needed to keep up with modern technologies.

First, many Chinese citizens support the new anti-corruption campaign because abusing one's office for personal gain is seen as a major crime. Second, the campaign has been highly effective due to microblogs' quick and efficient communications platform. Third, many rumors are mixed in with truth online, and microblogs help distinguish between fact and fiction.

The online anti-corruption program has drawn attention from around the globe as its role in China's anti-graft efforts continues to grow. Meanwhile, legal experts, media and the public have called for related laws and policies to be issued to regulate the Internet and microblogs so as to include the practice in the legal system.