8 people spreading fake news about acute pneumonia epidemic were punished

The situation of acute pneumonia caused by the new strain of corona virus is complicated in China. To date, the epidemic has spread to 30/31 provinces and cities of China and has spread to 18 countries and territories. This is a new, dangerous epidemic, capable of spreading quickly, with no vaccine or specific treatment.

8 cases were handled for reporting false information

Taking advantage of the complicated developments of the epidemic, some individuals have spread false information on the Internet, distorting the situation related to the epidemic in Vietnam, causing panic among the public and potentially disrupting security and order. As of January 29, 7 localities have handled 8 cases of posting false information.

Specifically, at noon on January 28, Binh Thuan Provincial Police summoned Ms. Nguyen Thi Lien Dung, 34 years old, residing in Phu Tai Ward, Phan Thiet City, Binh Thuan, about her spreading the news that "six people suspected of being infected with the corona virus are being quarantined at An Phuoc General Hospital" for handling.

At Phu Tai Ward Police Station, Dung admitted the incident and the purpose was to attract attention on his personal Facebook page.

Also on January 28, Ba Ria - Vung Tau Provincial Police worked with Tran Van Tung, 22 years old, to clarify the incident on January 27, when he posted on his personal Facebook account Tran Tung that "at Le Loi Hospital, Vung Tau City, there are 2 Chinese people suspected of being infected with the corona virus". This information was accompanied by a photo of the emergency room of Le Loi Hospital. Tung "tagged" this information to 7 other people and just a few dozen minutes later, it had nearly 500 shares.

After 40 minutes of posting the wrong information, Tung removed the above status. However, this false information has caused confusion among Vung Tau residents and many tourists who intended to come here for Spring and vacation have canceled their trips.

On the same day, the Information - Press and Publishing Department, Lao Cai Department of Information and Communications conducted procedures to consider and handle 2 individuals with 2 Facebook pages, one owned by Doan Thi Kim T. and one owned by Vu Thuy D., who posted false information about the epidemic caused by the corona virus.

Specifically, on the Facebook page of an individual named “Gia Bao”, Doan Thi Kim T posted the information: “The pandemic has reached Lao Cai border gate...” and on the Facebook page of an individual named “Tong Kho Buon Quang Chau”, Vu Thuy D posted the information: “The epidemic has spread to Ha Khau - Lao Cai. Too scary...”.

On their status lines, T and D's Facebook pages posted images of authorities spraying disinfectant at Lao Cai International Border Gate as an illustration. The posting of false information has attracted the attention of the online community, causing public confusion.

Immediately after the two personal Facebook pages posted the information, the authorities contacted the account owners and asked them to remove the false information. Both of these individuals immediately removed the information they posted...

Internet users should access official information from the Ministry of Health.

Commenting on this issue, Colonel Le Xuan Minh - Deputy Director of the Department of Cyber ​​Security and High-Tech Crime Prevention, Ministry of Public Security said that these subjects have inaccurate information and want to post information themselves to attract many followers for personal purposes. Colonel Minh recommends that social network users who want to access information about the corona flu should access official information sites such as the Ministry of Health's website so that we can get the most complete, accurate and fastest information.

Regarding this content, on January 29, the Ministry of Public Security continued to send a telegram to the Heads of units under the Ministry; Directors of Public Security of provinces and centrally-run cities to strengthen the prevention and control of acute pneumonia caused by the corona virus.The content of the telegram also requires the police of units and localities to strengthen inspection, detection, prevention and handling of subjects spreading false information about the epidemic situation..