1-Year Jail For Spreading Fake News Amid Coronavirus Lockdown: Telangana Govt
Mumbai: The Telangana government said that it will take strict action against those who can give false information spreading panic among the bandh to prevent the spread of the COVID-19 epidemic.
The state government told those dependent on social media in addition to traditional media for information, “As norovirus has spread at an alarming speed, very limited information is available from competent authorities and agencies. This has led people to spread fake news, misinformation and rumours – some out of sheer ignorance and others with mischievous intentions.”
“Ironically, spreading fake news, misinformation and rumours have become a major challenge for governments, so that the World Health Organisation (WHO) calling the phenomenon an Infodemic,” the statement by Dileep Konatham, Director, Digital Media, IT Electronics & Communications (ITE&C) Department added.
The state government held citizens responsible for sharing information and exercising restraint, saying, “Entrants of digital media platforms like WhatsApp will be held responsible and will be tried in accordance with law if any member of the group is publicly involved Fake news/misinformation/rumours.”
The state government said that forwarding wrong information is not only unethical but also illegal.
Also Read: Lockdown: FIR Against 4 In UP For Spreading Rumours On Social Media
“Spreading fake news, misinformation or rumours in times of national disasters can attract imprisonment up to one year with fine under relevant sections of the Disaster Management Act, 2005. Such acts of spreading fake news is also a punishable offence under Section 505 of Indian Penal Code under the ground that they will cause fear or alarm to the public,” the statement said.
The Telangana government has already implemented the Epidemic Diseases Act, 1897, which states that people who have spread without notice will be lodged under various provisions of the law.
The state government said on Monday that six people from Telangana, who were involved in a religious congregation in Nizamuddin, Delhi, died due to the coronavirus novel.
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