AGAINST

Wang Jianxun

21ccom.net

I don't approve of the adoption of real-name registration regulation.

People will lose their right of free speech due to the regulation. The essence of free speech is that people are able to freely criticize the government and express personal opinions on public affairs. It also means channels of voicing are provided and protected. The government should not limit or block the channels.

In a society where the right of free speech is protected, rumors and false information is unavoidable. If the rumors aim at individuals and harm their reputation, law can punish those who spread rumors. If they are aimed at government, relevant authorities can clarify them and release the truth to the public. Therefore, there is no need to ask for users' real names only because of worries about spreading rumors.

The micro-blog is a platform for communication and in general most users are expressing their opinions in strict accordance to laws and regulations. It is not a hotbed for criminals.

Zhang Sha

Company employee in Beijing

It is unnecessary to require users' real names to open micro-blog accounts.

Problems brought about by current micro-blog registration procedures, such as rampant spreading of rumors and false information, can be prevented and solved through other means. In cyberspace people are aware that some information is not true and they can distinguish truth from rumors using common sense. And with current technology, it is totally possible to trace those who commit crime on the Internet. 

Micro-blogs play a positive role in public affairs, which cannot be replaced by other media.

Luo Zhiyuan

Wenming.cn

As a supplement to traditional media, micro-blogs are playing a crucial role in China's public affairs. The reason why truth can be revealed on micro-blogs is that it doesn't require users' real names.

To clean up cyberspace, I don't think real-name registration is the only way. It is better to manage and supervise the Internet through legal means. Meanwhile, micro-blogging operators should also strengthen supervision on their own websites by filtering inappropriate content and screening users who publish false information.

Disadvantaged groups who feel they have no other choice to have their voices heard usually make radical remarks on micro-blogs. In this case it's better for the government to open more channels of communication for people to express their problems.

Sometimes we tend to go to extremes. It's unwise to label micro-blogs as "danger" just because rumors manage to spread. The real-name registration practice is unable to fundamentally tackle the problem. The most effective way is that the government encourages as many users as possible to register with real names, instead of forcing them to do so, supplemented by strong supervision and tough punishment of online crimes.