  Spreading truths is recognized as a feasible strategy for inhibiting rumors.
This paper is devoted to assessing the effectiveness of the truth-spreading
strategy. An individual-level rumor-truth spreading model (the generic URTU
model) is derived. Under the model, two criteria for the termination of a rumor
are presented. These criteria capture the influence of the network structures
on the effectiveness of the truth-spreading strategy. Extensive simulations
show that, when the rumor or the truth terminates, the dynamics of a simplified
URTU model (the linear URTU model) fits well with the actual rumor-truth
interplay process. Therefore, the generic URTU model forms a theoretical basis
for assessing the effectiveness of the truth-spreading strategy for restraining
rumors.
