The police are warning that anyone who publishes, distributes, discloses, transmits, circulates or spreads false information or fake news about Covid-19 will be guilty of an offence and may be prosecuted.
Benoni SAPS spokesperson Capt Nomsa Sekele said regulation 11(5) of the regulations issued in terms of the Disaster Management Act, 2002 (Act No 57 of 2002) criminalises the publication of any statement which aims to deceit any person about Covid-19, the Covid-19 infection status of a person or measures taken by government to address the virus.
“This includes false information or fake news transmitted or shared on social media platforms,” said Sekele.
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Covid-19 (coronavirus): Six months in jail for anyone who publishes fake news
“The publication of disinformation, false information and half-truths is dangerous. It spreads rumours and may cause panic, which undermine efforts to prevent the escalation of the crisis and efforts to contain the spreading of Covid-19.”
She said such conduct should be condemned by all South Africans who remain committed to fight the spreading of the coronavirus pandemic.
“Employees are responsible to oppose the publication of false or fake information and not to participate in such activities, especially on social media platforms.
“Verify the information before you share information,” she said.
If you receive information that you suspect to be false information or fake news, report it to fakenewsalert@dtps.gov.za
* Notice: Coronavirus reporting at Caxton Local Media aims to combat fake news
Dear reader,
As your local news provider, we have the duty of keeping you factually informed on Covid-19 developments. As you may have noticed, mis- and disinformation (also known as “fake news”) is circulating online. Caxton Local Media is determined to filter through the masses of information doing the rounds and to separate truth from untruth in order to keep you adequately informed. Local newsrooms follow a strict pre-publication fact-checking protocol. A national task team has been established to assist in bringing you credible news reports on Covid-19.
Readers with any comments or queries may contact National Group Editor Irma Green (irma@caxton.co.za) or Legal Adviser Helene Eloff (helene@caxton.co.za).
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