On Wednesday, the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) took to social media to remind the public that spreading false news is a crime.
They shared once again Republic Act No. 11469 Section 6 (F) which imposes penalty on individuals or groups creating and sharing false news.
“Republic Act No. 11469 Section 6 (F) penalizes those: Individuals or group creating, perpetrating, or spreading false information regarding the COVID-19 crisis on social media and other platforms such as information having no valid or beneficial effect on the population and are clearly geared to promote chaos, panic, anarchy, fear, or confusion; and those participating in cyber incidents that make use or take advantage of the current crisis situation to prey on the public through scams, phishing, fraudulent emails, or other similar acts.”
On March 27, cabinet secretary Karlo Nograles also asked the public to stop sharing fake news. He warned those who generate false information.
“Kung sino sino man gumagawa nito, hintay lang kayo diyan kasi alam naman ng mga security at police personnel kung sino sino. Kaya tumigil na kayo yung pwede pa,” he said.
Nograles also asked the public to rely on government-run social media accounts for official statements on the country’s COVID-19 situation.
