2015年CRI Strict Law Enforcement Crucial in Cleaning China's Cyber Space: Experts

 

A typical scenario¹ when surfing the web in China is that, as you scroll² down while reading a serious story on your computer, a sexually-inclined picture or stories with sensational³ headlines will appear somewhere on the screen. This even happens at some China's major news portals, as observed by Ma Ai, an expert on criminology from the China Psychological Society.

"Many words have sexual connotations, which to some extent could influence the teenagers."

Since more and more people work with computers in open spaces, this can be particularly disturbing for office workers, like this young woman who would only identify herself with surname of Ge.

"I'm an office worker and I need to search websites constantly. Since I share the office with many colleagues, it is very embarrassing to have things like that displayed on my screen when you have colleagues passing by."

Airwaves are not immune from similar content. Programs that promote drugs claiming to enhance men's potency⁴, complete with call-ins discussing various sexual experiences, are broadcast.

Why do serious news stories have to be mixed with sexual information?

Zhou Xiaopeng, deputy editor-in-chief of Sina.com, the largest news portal in China, says it depends on how administrators⁵ define their services and value orientation⁶.

"Websites want to maintain high page views and traffic flow, so these things become part of their content. Basically, it is a dissimilation of legitimate⁷ business operations."

Traditionally, Chinese are reserved on issues of sex. Open discussion of sexual matters was never part of their culture. But the recent availability of widespread information, either on the internet or the airwaves, tends to turn this approach to sex upside down.

"Soft sexual" content many not have prompted crackdowns, but their harm should not be under-estimated, according to Ma Ai.

Citing the Broken Window effect, a theory that petty violations⁸ and crimes can lead to more serious crimes down the line, Ma claims off-color content available to the public can lower society's threshold for shame, and raise chances of crime.

Figures from Beijing's People's Procuratorate show that between 2012 and 2014, sexual-related crimes, particularly among young people, witnessed a sharp increase. No one can deny the social environment as a result of cultural breach⁹ is part to blame.

China has specific laws and regulations prohibiting obscene content from being published by its citizens, but few seem to be enforced in earnest, according to Hong Daode, professor of criminal law from China University of Political Science and Law, who believes the punishment for such violations is too lenient¹⁰.

"As long as law enforcement bodies demonstrate their determination, and exercise zero-tolerance on this phenomenon, I believe website operators can find their way out with technical methods".

Hong believes that whether or not the country's cyber space and airwaves can keep clean depends on the will power of the state.

Ancient Chinese wisdom believes in "better late than never". What is lacking here is not wisdom. An unambiguous government policy is needed.

For CRI, I'm XYee.

1 scenario   

n.剧本，脚本；概要

参考例句：

• But the birth scenario is not completely accurate.然而分娩脚本并非完全准确的。
• This is a totally different scenario.这是完全不同的剧本。

2 scroll   

n.卷轴，纸卷；(石刻上的)漩涡

参考例句：

• As I opened the scroll,a panorama of the Yellow River unfolded.我打开卷轴时，黄河的景象展现在眼前。
• He was presented with a scroll commemorating his achievements.他被授予一幅卷轴，以表彰其所做出的成就。

3 sensational   

adj.使人感动的，非常好的，轰动的，耸人听闻的

参考例句：

• Papers of this kind are full of sensational news reports.这类报纸满是耸人听闻的新闻报道。
• Their performance was sensational.他们的演出妙极了。

4 potency   

n. 效力，潜能

参考例句：

• Alcohol increases the drug's potency.酒精能增加这种毒品的效力。
• Sunscreen can lose its potency if left over winter in the bathroom cabinet.如果把防晒霜在盥洗室的壁橱里放一个冬天，就有可能失效。

5 administrators   

n.管理者( administrator的名词复数 )；有管理（或行政）才能的人；（由遗嘱检验法庭指定的）遗产管理人；奉派暂管主教教区的牧师

参考例句：

• He had administrators under him but took the crucial decisions himself. 他手下有管理人员，但重要的决策仍由他自己来做。 来自辞典例句
• Administrators have their own methods of social intercourse. 办行政的人有他们的社交方式。 来自汉英文学 - 围城

6 orientation   

n.方向，目标；熟悉，适应，情况介绍

参考例句：

• Children need some orientation when they go to school.小孩子上学时需要适应。
• The traveller found his orientation with the aid of a good map.旅行者借助一幅好地图得知自己的方向。

7 legitimate   

adj.合法的，合理的，合乎逻辑的；v.使合法

参考例句：

• Sickness is a legitimate reason for asking for leave.生病是请假的一个正当的理由。
• That's a perfectly legitimate fear.怀有这种恐惧完全在情理之中。

8 violations   

违反( violation的名词复数 )； 冒犯； 违反（行为、事例）； 强奸

参考例句：

• This is one of the commonest traffic violations. 这是常见的违反交通规则之例。
• These violations of the code must cease forthwith. 这些违犯法规的行为必须立即停止。

9 breach   

n.违反，不履行；破裂；vt.冲破，攻破

参考例句：

• We won't have any breach of discipline.我们不允许任何破坏纪律的现象。
• He was sued for breach of contract.他因不履行合同而被起诉。

10 lenient   

adj.宽大的，仁慈的

参考例句：

• The judge was lenient with him.法官对他很宽大。
• It's a question of finding the means between too lenient treatment and too severe punishment.问题是要找出处理过宽和处罚过严的折中办法。