Chapter 1001: Responsible to the Many Netizens!

Minister of the Propaganda Department Zhao Jia said with difficulty, "Secretary Shi, I feel this matter requires focused attention, but there is no need to be particularly high-profile. On one hand, find the shopkeeper, make them apologize, and impose a fine. On the other hand, find the customers and apologize to them. Public opinion will die down after a while. If we respond with a high profile, might we be counterproductive and instead cause the heat to continue rising and the situation to grow even larger?"

Shi Yao frowned, "Are you saying that we should ignore the public sentiment online?"

Zhao Jia gave an awkward smile, "I mean, we can't manage that much; we should just do our own jobs well. The media concocts news every day; perhaps tomorrow some entertainment star will have a scandal, and the heat will pass, and attention will shift. If we keep harping on it, we will remain the focus instead."

Shi Yao said with some anger, "Comrades, we cannot sit and wait for death when dealing with a public opinion crisis; we must be decisive and timely. Only by coming up with an attitude to respond as quickly as possible can we prevent public opinion from further deteriorating. This matter has not yet reached the point of being unmanageable; we must seize the time, not a single moment can be delayed."

Zhao Jia was stunned for a moment and did not continue speaking.

Currently, public opinion is occurring online, and everyone is very unfamiliar with this area.

If it were traditional media, such as newspapers, television, or radio, it could be stopped immediately through the Propaganda Department reporting it level by level.

However, internet regulation in 2009 was not yet mature enough; everyone could freely express their opinions, and there were too many platforms. Even if one wanted to block it, it would be difficult to stop the mouths of the masses.

Jiang Anbang could feel Shi Yao's mood; in fact, he was also very anxious.

"Recently, there has been a lot of good news regarding investment attraction in Dayu. Many enterprises have come to inquire about investment policies out of admiration."

"Now the situation has changed. Several enterprises have inquired about this incident and have developed concerns about settling in our county."

"I think Secretary Shi's idea is still correct. We must handle this matter seriously, not only to quell public opinion but also to restore our image."

Seeing Jiang Anbang support her, Shi Yao's mood eased quite a bit.

"County Magistrate Jiang is right. In fact, the root of this matter does not lie with the merchants; the root actually lies with everyone present. If you see a cockroach in the sunlight, it means that the places in the entire city you cannot see are already full of cockroaches. It is because we people did not take the construction of the tourism environment and supervision work seriously, and did not implement the work, that this kind of thing happened."

Jiang Anbang suggested in a low voice, "I believe the most urgent task is to solve the problem of the spread of public sentiment. The County Party Committee Propaganda Department must seek support from Yanzhou and contact the major online platforms to control the further deterioration of public sentiment."

"The Industry and Commerce Department and the Public Security Department must take immediate action to take the shopkeeper into custody."

"The Emergency Management Department must quickly contact the injured tourists, communicate with them, and strive to win their understanding."

Tang Ye secretly thought that Jiang Anbang was still very thorough in handling this matter.

Of course, the several instructions Jiang Anbang issued in succession were all standard routines for the government to handle crisis public relations.

After Jiang Anbang finished stating these ideas.

Tang Ye took over the conversation, "County Magistrate Jiang's ideas are still very complete, but I would like to add a few points."

Jiang Anbang nodded toward Tang Ye, "Secretary Tang, please speak."

Tang Ye said in a deep voice, "We must make it clear: who do we need to be responsible to for this public opinion crisis!"

Jiang Anbang was lost in thought.

The others looked at each other.

Shi Yao twirled the fountain pen in her hand.

Tang Ye continued,

"With the matter blown up so big, do we need to be responsible to the victim? In fact, the victim only needs to vent their anger. As long as we give them a certain amount of compensation and spiritual comfort, close the shop involved, and bring the perpetrators to justice, their requirements can be met."

"However, reaching this step is clearly not enough."

"The matter is spreading so fast and is so hot online."

"To quell the public anger, it is actually that we need to be responsible to the many netizens."

"They saw social injustice from this one incident."

"For example, why did the shopkeeper dare to gouge customers?"

"Why were they so rampant after the shopkeeper beat someone?"

"Why did it end up with nothing after reporting it to the police?"

"We must stand from the perspective of ordinary netizens and provide an answer that is more unexpected and more satisfying than they anticipated."

"Only by completely resolving the confusion in the hearts of the netizens will they be satisfied."

Shi Yao nodded slightly and said to Xing Zhijun, "This matter must be investigated further. We must provide a reasonable result as to who is backing them behind the scenes."

Xing Zhijun accepted the order, "I will order the County Public Security Bureau to make arrests right now."

Tang Ye thought for a moment and said softly, "Secretary Shi, I have already found the victim's information. I will set off in a moment to communicate with the victim face-to-face."

Shi Yao was stunned for a moment.

The others remained silent.

Because none of them had expected Tang Ye to do this.

"How about I go with you?"

Tang Ye shook his head and said softly, "Secretary Shi, you should stay and hold down the fort at the County Party Committee. If there is anything needed, I will contact you at any time."

Shi Yao was silent for a moment, "Alright, then I will trouble you to make the trip."

……

At this very moment.

Wang Chunyu and Li Wanfu were fishing at a reservoir.

Wang Chunyu pulled the rod hard; the fishing line went taut, and the tip of the fishing rod bent sharply.

Seeing this scene, Li Wanfu hurried over and hugged Wang Chunyu's waist.

"This must be a big fish. As expected, the experience of fishing in a reservoir is not bad," Wang Chunyu said with pleasant surprise.

Li Wanfu directed the Liaison Officer, "What are you standing there for? Do you have no sense? Hurry up and bring the landing net over."

With the joint help of several people, they finally dragged the bighead carp up.

Wang Chunyu stood side-by-side with Li Wanfu while holding the big fish, and the Liaison Officer took the camera and snapped this photo.

Wang Chunyu put his arm around Li Wanfu's shoulder and laughed, "As far as I know, several enterprises that originally planned to invest in Dayu County have changed their minds."

Li Wanfu grinned, "The matter of gouging customers is making a huge noise now. I've been able to see propaganda about the Provincial Song and Dance Troupe performing for charity in Dayu County during this period, but I've flipped through it several times today and haven't seen any pre-heat reports."

Wang Chunyu laughed triumphantly, "The way I see it, this Public Welfare Performance will either be terminated or proceed in a low-key manner. Someone's idea of using this project to gain political achievements and attract attention is going to fall through."

Li Wanfu said in a low voice, "Who did you contact this time? The heat of public opinion online is so high; it's really quite frightening."

Wang Chunyu explained, "A university classmate. He originally worked at a newspaper office, but was later squeezed out to the newspaper's website. After his dedicated operation, the website's traffic is now particularly high. Times are different now; the internet's influence is getting bigger and bigger, and the days of traditional media are getting harder and harder."

Li Wanfu smiled and said, "If you have time, please introduce me so I can get to know them!"

Wang Chunyu nodded slightly, "Easily done!"