Web firms sued for spreading rumors

Two network companies were charged at Beijing Chaoyang District People's Court on Friday with smearing a woman's reputation by spreading rumors on the Internet.

Judicial experts suggested Web portals verify information before they put it online to reduce infringements.

The woman, surnamed Zhang, an official at China Petrochemical Corp, also known as Sinopec Group, was allegedly targeted early this year by Fu Xuesheng in a rumor that she had received sex bribes from a construction company that later won a bid from Sinopec.