This CP reporter interviewed Professor Lee Seung-sun from the Dept. of Communications at CNU on the subject online gossip and legal punishment. Let's hear his statement about this issue.

1. Malicious online replies and their negative effects are becoming more and more of an issue. Do you think that it is possible to reduce online gossip through legal restrictions? 
    The Internet is a very dynamic medium. It is a foolish idea to try to control the Internet using the same criteria using with newspaper or broadcast media. Online replies are the freest form of expression on the Internet. So, regulating them by law is not a good solution. There are some problems with issues like access: we will reduce the number of malicious replies by law. First, there is a problem with defining what online defamation is. Second, who are the people who will control online replies? Third, restrictions on online replies may shrink the power and energy of the internet. Fourth, how far is it acceptable to go to regulate the Internet? There are some other problems as well. Therefore, legal control is not desirable. 

2. A restrictive real-name system has been introduced on the Internet, and lately some people are trying to introduce the new law of cyber contempt. These people are against the culture of malicious replies and cyber crime, but some are of the opinion that they are threatening netizens' rights against expressing themselves freely. What do you think about all this?
    I do not deny the bad effects of malicious replies, but we have to be prudent in how we punish them by law. Moreover, now we have criminal laws protecting against libel, slander, and contempt, along with a cyber contempt laws for digital networks. Even the established laws and regulations are criticized for being threats to free expression. I object to establishing a new and stronger cyber contempt law. 

3. Then, do you have any alternative proposal for dealing with malicious replies?
    First of all, it is important that we do not judge the Internet through the same criteria we use with other forms of mass media. Second, the education system has to introduce a set of norms for using the internet. Finally, if legal strife occurs, it will have to be solved through civil action. 

4. There are no standards when it comes to malicious replies. A certain reply can be considered malicious by one person but not by another. What do you think about the standards for online malicious replies?
    Defamation of character and invasion of privacy are areas that fall under the category of malicious replies. It would be difficult to apply the term "malicious replies" to evaluations of public officials' public acts, public organizations, and government agencies. 

5. Korea is often full of rumors about things such as mad cow diseases, black September, and entertainer x-files. How and why are these rumors caused?
    Rumors are a mode of communication which exists in every society. Rumors occur when normal communication is blocked or overloaded, or when the mass media cannot satisfy people's curiosity. 

6. When we search online news media, we see that some big portal sites are the first to break a story. What do you think about this? 
    Any media company's monopoly or oligopoly disturbs and distorts normal communication. Monopolistic newspapers, broadcasters, or internet portal sites disturb the diversity of public opinion and information. These causes bring about monopolies or oligopolies by big portal sites. 

7. Netizens can take a personal role in the media thanks to blogs, mini homepages, and so on, but some netizens' rights are violated because portal sites sometimes remove writing. What are the rights for personal media and what directions will it take in the future?
    Basically, sponsors who offer online services should not restrict personal communication in those spaces. That is, netizens who use personal media have to take legal and moral responsibility for their acts. Netizens should be ensured the freedom of expression, and take legal responsibility for copyright materials and personal rights. 

8. What should netizens do to cultivate an upright online culture? 
    Netizens should consider that other people exist online and be considerate of others. It is important that people learn how to properly obtain information and knowledge from newspapers, books, or the Internet. 

9. Please give advice to Chungdaites.
    Read more newspapers and books, and I hope you can express your opinions actively.

By  Hwang Hyun-mo CP Reporter
denishyun@nate.com