New Order of Network Governance
From October 20 to 23, the Fourth Plenary Session of the 18th CPC Central Committee decided to comprehensively carry forward the rule of law. On October 24, the State Internet Information Office expressed the intent to give the rule of law a leading role in guiding and regulating the Internet, bringing it in line with the law in both use and regulation, so enhancing legislation in this field. Moreover, China will amass the credit records of netizens and network organizations, rewarding those who abide by the law and keep a clean slate, and punishing those who breach the law or commit fraud.
The Internet Society of China published at the end of 2013 a self-discipline pact on Internet terminal security service. It provided a new basis on which to safeguard Internet users’ legal interests and maintain a fair and harmonious market competition environment.
The Interactive Internet Advertising Committee of the China Advertising Association enforced in March 2014 a directive to guide and standardize the gathering, saving, use, and transfer of customer information on Internet advertising services.
The China Internet Conference on August 15 called upon Internet employees, web celebrities, and netizens nationwide to assume social responsibility, spread positive energy, and stick to seven base lines, namely, laws and regulations, the socialist system, national interest, citizens’ legal rights and interest, public order, morality, and authenticity. This marked the first promotion of Internet self-discipline throughout society as a whole.
Moreover, under the framework of legal institutions and industry regulation, special measures have further cleaned up the Internet environment.
In April, Shenzhen-based QVOD, a stream technology developer that ran a website with 400 million users, had its business license revoked due to allegations of making profits through obscene publications. Four months later, Wang Xin, its president, was arrested in South Korea. This case implies that the cyber space is no longer the legal Wild West of pornography.
Lately, nine agencies, including the Publicity Department of the CPC Central Committee, MIIT, and MPS, jointly launched a special project striking out at media blackmail and pseudo news. In September, financial and economic media 21cbh.com came under investigation for extortion. Several senior executives at its parent company 21st Century Media, including its president Shen Hao, were arrested. This shocking case sent press supervision and media self-discipline alarm bells ringing in the Omnimedia age.
In addition, a number of Internet celebrities, such as Yang Xiuyu, Qin Zhihui, Dong Rubin, and Zhou Lubao, have been prosecuted on charges of spreading rumors, extortion, and illegal business operations. The famous, or infamous, scandalmonger Guo Meimei was arrested for World Cup gambling. These problem-addressing actions have been instrumental in purifying the public opinion ambience in the age of “we media.”
The State Internet Information Office unveiled in October administrative measures to protect user’s personal information security — a measure to prevent the stealing of user info and spreading of viruses via smart phone apps. Meanwhile, content-based apps will be supervised to keep this market in good order.
Media Fusion and Collision
For Chinese media amid rapidly changing communication ecology, the year 2014 signifies transition. The nation’s leading group for overall reform approved on August 18 the Instructions on Promoting the Integrative Development of Traditional Media and New media. President Xi, head of the leading group, called for the building of diversified, advanced, and competitive new mainstream media, the establishment of several new media groups with broad reach, strong credibility and influence, and the formation of a diversified and integrated modern communication system. The news drew enthusiastic media responses and sparked a surge in stocks of media groups.
Media integration involves reengineering media group management, adjustment of organizational structure, technology and capital, and remodeling the relationship between media and users. This innovation of means of communication and operating service is a great opportunity for both traditional and new media to achieve a win-win result.
Nevertheless, media integration does not signify any weakening of industry supervision. In June 2014, the State Administration of Radio, Film and Television banned over-the-top (OTT) boxes. These devices give TV viewers access to programs that a large number of video websites make themselves, or to overseas Internet programs that certain commercial institutions purchase and broadcast without permission. This stringent measure constitutes a collision of TV terminal public value and industry attributes. In response to the new policy, the OTT industry is integrating industrial chain resources and seeking breakthroughs in IP incubation.
