Spreading false rumors online can result in 7 years in prison

(Baonghean.vn) - Recently, the exploitation and use of social networks as a tool to spread false and sensational rumors, to attract likes and cause instability and confusion in public opinion has become a problem. This is a violation of the law, and if the crime is serious, it can be prosecuted...

Recently (May 3, 2016), Con Cuong District Police summoned Le Van Son, 40 years old - residing in Con Cuong Town, the subject who spread rumors of child kidnapping on Facebook on April 22, Nghe An Facebook page. The content is: "Notice to all brothers nationwide, anyone who sees this color car with license plate 29D-XXX.54, on the car there is 1 man and 1 woman. This is a car specializing in scamming and kidnapping children. Yesterday at 1:30 pm they scammed at Con Cuong market and accidentally kidnapped a child right in front of Con Cuong market gate. When discovered, they ran away. Anyone who knows, please contact phone number: 0972.XXX.076 - 01634.XXX.456. Or the nearest police. Share to be on the lookout".

The status line and information on Facebook named Nghe An News about the kidnapping case has attracted many people's attention.

The announcement was accompanied by a picture of a blue car believed to belong to the kidnappers, leaving many people confused and scared. After only two days of posting, the article received more than 53,000 likes and nearly 10,000 shares, along with a warning to remind friends and relatives to be on the lookout for child kidnapping.

At the police station, Mr. Son initially admitted that the information about child kidnapping posted on social networks was inaccurate and fabricated.

Recently, at around 12 noon on May 7, 2016, on the Facebook page of the Nghe An-Ha Tinh Mother and Baby Fair, information appeared about a child kidnapping case that occurred in Hanoi town.

The information on Facebook reads: "TNPT, 6 years old in K4, Hanoi town, was kidnapped at 10:30 am on the way from the neighbor's house to his house...". The account owner also left a phone number and hoped that if anyone saw the child, they would contact the above number. The above information caused panic and anxiety for many parents with young children and was shared by many people. However, through verification, that morning the child bought candy and went to the neighbor's house to play. Because he was afraid of being scolded by his mother, he hid in the alley of the house under construction next door. Relatives searched for several hours but could not find him, so they worriedly posted the news on Facebook. Later, the child was discovered by his family and brought home...

Previously, around the end of April 2016, social networks also spread information that a resident of Vinh city ate sea fish (mackerel) and was poisoned and had to be hospitalized. However, immediately after that, the Nghe An Department of Health issued a document denying this rumor and confirmed that the patient had a food allergy (a disease that can occur in anyone, especially those with a history of asthma...)

Lawyer Nguyen Trong Hai.

Regarding this type of behavior, according to Lawyer Nguyen Trong Hai, Head of Trong Hai and Associates Law Office, people who spread false rumors on social networks, causing panic and anxiety in the community, can be prosecuted.

In the new Penal Code (2015), "The crime of taking advantage of democratic freedoms to infringe upon the interests of the State, the legitimate rights and interests of organizations and citizens" is stipulated in Article 331, but in terms of content, it remains unchanged.

According to Lawyer Nguyen Trong Hai, in addition to citizens’ lack of legal knowledge, the spread of rumors on the internet is also caused by impatient and gullible internet users. Some cases have not verified the information before hastily sharing and spreading it widely. Others deliberately spread it to attract likes and views.

They are not aware that their actions will affect the honor, dignity, rights and legitimate interests of other individuals and organizations. More importantly, such actions have enough signs to constitute a crime.

Therefore, to prevent and control, in addition to strictly punishing those who intentionally spread false rumors to increase deterrence, sectors and levels need to step up propaganda to raise people's awareness of obeying the law, complying with regulations and raising vigilance in using the Internet and social network Facebook.

Gia Huy