EDITORIAL : THE GLOBAL TIMES, CHINA

Drowning out irrational voices

Salt has sold out in many Chinese cities. Experts have pointed out that iodized salt will not help prevent radiation and that an overdose is actually harmful to one's health. But science is often no match for popular beliefs at such moments.

Some people think the exaggeration about the spread of Japan's nuclear contamination resulted from the live show of Japan's nuclear crisis and that people have over-reacted because of it. This is nonsense. Rumors always exist in society. The authorities do not have to panic at every rumor, but they must avoid irrational movements going out of control.

Salt, garlic and green beans were all snapped up in China in recent years for various reasons while this time, salt has gone even faster than the speed of the Internet. In fact, online opinions rarely encourage people to snap up salt, but somehow, salt in supermarkets was "sold out" overnight.

C u r r e n t l y , our government should focus on being a trusted and rational voice for society. Emotional knee-jerk reactions are easily amplified on different information platforms. Once they confront the rational opinion, a situation can become troublesome.

Many Chinese officials are used to "indoctrination-style" information release, but it no longer works.

The rational voice that is not strong enough in the society is often drowned out by gossip.

With the continuation of Japan's nuclear crisis, many rumors will create confusion in China.

The government can have a "general response" to all rumors, which can not only defeat rumors and ensure China's market stability, but also build up official credibility and re-establish the dominant position of scientific and rational voices in Chinese society.

The first thing for the government to do is to open up about information and let the public get involved.

The government does not have to worry too much about the salt craze because it has the ability to prevent the spread of the situation. In a country as populous as China, it is impossible to prevent certain incidents. The most important factor is whether the government can see off irrational beliefs.

People who have the right to speak in Chinese society should establish rational arguments. They should tell the truth, not only refuse to follow the official opinion, but also daring to fight against the web "opinions." However, the current situation shows that they speak when they disagree with the government but keep silent against he so-called "public opinion."

Japan's nuclear crisis must not become China's crisis. It is normal to have anxiety in the society. To what extent we can overcome such anxiety may be an evaluation of China's social progress in the future.