Woman’s death exposes bias of netizens

ON AUG 31, Ma Rongrong, a 26-year-old pregnant woman jumped from the labor room on the fifth floor of First Hospital of Yulin in Yulin city, Northwest China’s Shaanxi province. Beijing News comments:

Soon after Ma’s death, the hospital posted a statement online, saying Ma had asked for a C-section because she could not bear the labor pain, but since her husband Yan Zhuangzhuang refused to sign the required document, the hospital could not perform the C-section, implying Yan was partly responsible for her death.

Even though Yan later clarified that he had agreed for the C-section and the hospital did not heed his request, netizens criticized him for being indifferent to his wife’s pain. On micro blog, China’s equivalent to Twitter, many used abusive language against Yan and his family.

That the netizens have jumped to a conclusion before the police have completed the investigation into the incident is disturbing. The only conclusion the police have reached is that it is not a case of murder. There is no solid evidence to suggest which side refused a C-section, so it is unfair to blame Yan for being coldblooded and causing Ma’s death.

The case reflects what has come to be known as “web hate”, which is quite rampant in society. Whenever a serious incident happens, people try to find the “evil guy”. But in many cases, the “evil guy” has turned out to be innocent, and thus a victim of the incident.

The hospital acted irresponsibly by posting its statement online, because that was only its side of the story. As one party to the case, the hospital should not have tried to influence public opinion.

Social network is prospering in China, but users need to learn how to be a good citizen and use it properly.