There are people alive today that lived while the Chofetz Chaim was alive. The Chofetz Chaim wasn’t from ancient times, he was here with us not that long ago. And he told us and taught us exactly as he is quoted above.
Do you think this Mitzvah was the Halacha from the times of Chazal through the Chofetz Chaim but suddenly changed in the last few decades and is no longer a Mitzvah?!
Instead of coming up with your own boich sevaras, do what the Chofetz Chaim told us to do in sefer Shmiras HaLashon, Hilchos Rechilus 9:15. And what the Sefer HaChinuch perek 239 tells us to do. And what Chazal in the gemara in Yoma daf Pey Vav amud Beis tells us to do. And what the Rambam Hilchas Daes 6:9 tells us to do. And all the other Chazals, Rishonim and Achronim that tell us the same thing.