Ministry of Information and Communications: Proactively preventing false information on social networks about the Corona virus epidemic

Departments of Information and Communications are required to monitor information on social networks continuously to coordinate with competent agencies to actively fight against confusing false information in public opinion about the epidemic. disease and strictly handle violations of information on disease prevention and control (Artwork: Internet)

According to mic.gov.vn, on January 31, 2020, the Ministry of Information and Communications sent official dispatch 267 to the press agencies, the Department of Information and Communications of the provinces and cities directly under the Central Government on propagandizing and preventing and combating respiratory infections. Acute viral infection caused by Corona.

The official said that the disease caused by Corona virus is happening very complicatedly, very seriously. On January 31, 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared a global emergency (PHEIC) about an acute respiratory infection caused by a new strain of the Corona virus.

Following the guidance of the Secretariat and the Prime Minister on prevention and control of epidemics, the Ministry of Information and Communications requested the press agencies and the Department of Information and Communications of the provinces and cities directly under the Central Government to focus on organizing the information work. propagandizing and preventing epidemics.

Specifically, the Ministry of Information and Communications requested the press agencies to closely follow the direction of the Secretariat in Official Letter 79 of January 29, 2020; direction of the Prime Minister in Directive 05 January 28, 2020; information provided by the National Steering Committee, the Ministry of Health about the prevention and control of acute respiratory infections caused by new strains of Corona virus; reflects efforts and determination of all branches, levels and localities in epidemic prevention and control.

At the same time, the press agencies should increase the duration, the number of news articles, recommendations, guide the people to be fully aware of risks and ways to prevent diseases, and raise people’s awareness of complying with the recommendations. and measures of authorities to limit the spread of epidemics. Not negligent, subjective but not causing confusion, anxiety in society; not to affect foreign relations with other countries.

At the same time, the press also needs to update regularly, continuously, accurately, and fully on all types of press on developments of disease situation and measures to prevent and prevent the spread of epidemics from the main source. of National Steering Committee for prevention and control of respiratory diseases caused by new strains of Conora virus, Ministry of Health and other competent agencies.

“Do not use the” title “and content of the question, speculation, assignment, unsubstantiated contact, not the true nature of the incident, cautious and must verify information from the authorities when exploiting information from foreign press, ”the Ministry of Information and Communications noted.

With the basic information system, the Ministry of Information and Communications proposed focusing the duration, frequency of propagation and dissemination on the system of district-level radio and television stations and communal radio stations with information to encourage people and community to prevent and limit epidemics according to the document of the National Steering Committee, Ministry of Health on prevention and control of acute respiratory infections caused by new strains of Conora virus.

Accordingly, the focus of information advises people to limit activities that are likely to cause disease and signs of infection to proactively examine, immediately notify health facilities when symptoms appear. on.

Departments of Information and Communications are required to strengthen the inspection and supervision of the implementation of propaganda on disease prevention and control activities of the press agencies and local grassroots information systems; monitor information continuously on social networks to coordinate with the competent authorities to actively fight against the bewildering false information in public opinion about the disease situation and strictly deal with violations of disease prevention information.

Regarding the propaganda on prevention and control of acute respiratory infections caused by Corona virus, in the newly issued Directive 06, the Prime Minister continued to request the Ministry of Information and Communications to direct the strengthening of information and communication on disease, measures to prevent and control epidemics. Recommend media agencies to publish accurate and timely epidemic reports and measures for people to actively prevent and control epidemics, not bewildered, worried and coordinate with authorities. effective epidemic prevention.

In fact, in recent days, on Facebook, there have been many fake and unverified information about the acute respiratory infection caused by new strain of Corona virus. This information has partly made people confused and worried.

In some localities, police agencies have collaborated with functional forces to impose administrative sanctions on some subjects to spread false information about epidemics on social networks. For example, according to Chinhphu.vn, on January 28, after verifying information spread on social networks about two Chinese tourists suspected of being infected with Corona virus hospitalized at Le Loi Hospital, Vung Tau City. , Ba Ria-Vung Tau province’s police has imposed administrative sanctions on Tran Van Tung (born in 1998, residing in Thang Nhat ward, Vung Tau city) for an amount of VND 30 million for having false information posted. truth.

Next, according to the Department of Information and Communications of Thua Thien Hue Province, on January 30, 2020, the Department of Internal Political Security – Public Security of Thua Thien Hue Province collaborated with the Department of Information and Communications to invite Facebook account holder Nhan Le to work on spreading false information on social networks related to the epidemic caused by Corona virus. The police agency has made a record of administrative violations and proposed the level of administrative sanctions to Facebook account holder Nhan Le in the form of a fine, amount of VND 12.5 million according to the provisions of Points a and 3. , Article 64 of the Government’s Decree No. 174, 2013 stipulating sanctions against administrative violations in the fields of post, telecommunications, IT and radio frequency.