Most people believe the Internet is an effective check on government officials' behavior, says a recent survey conducted by the People's Tribune, a biweekly magazine of the People's Daily.

About 70 percent of the 6,243 people who took part in the poll, 5,943 online users and 300 officials, said they believe government officials fear online public opinion and supervision.

Ninety percent of the respondents also considered such supervision to be good for society.

Only 22 percent of those polled said officials were not afraid of online public opinion, with the remaining 8 percent undecided.