The Supreme People's Court and Supreme People's Procuratorate have issued a joint judicial interpretation on internet rumors. Internet users who fabricate rumors to defame or slander others can be held accountable on charges of libel. The regulation takes effects on Tuesday.

The ruling says a rumor that harms the reputation of others will be considered a serious offense, if the post is viewed five thousand times or re-tweeted five hundred times or more.

Those who cause serious psychological damage to the victims as a result of their fabrications, are committing also a "serious offense", regardless of the number of retweets.

The interpretation draws a clear line for those who intentionally or and inadvertently retweet rumors.

Sun Jungong, spokesman for Supreme People's Court, said, "People who knowingly spread false information, and harm the reputation of the victim, should be punished under Libel Law. Those unknowingly spread rumors, however, will not be held liable, regardless of the actual damage. "

Internet marketers who spread online rumors or charge a fee to delete damaging information could also be punished for illegal business operations.

Those who knowingly provide funds, location or technical support for others to defame, instigate or extort can be charged as an accomplice.

The government's series of actions to crack down on online rumors is generating public debate.

The judicial interpretation is the latest development in regulating the internet.

China now has 590 million people online.

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