Clear rules needed for dealing with online tips,say experts

Specialists in law and public administration are calling for clear procedures for handling the online exposure of corruption by officials, as more people are beginning to provide tips through the Internet.

It is essential to regulate the online effort so that important tips are properly investigated and appropriate follow-ups made, while filtering out false or misleading information, said Yang Xiaojun, professor of law at the Chinese Academy of Governance.

Disciplinary authorities are asking for procedural rules that would bring consistency to the handling of online tips, Yang said, rather than continuing the current practice, which can be arbitrary or haphazard.