In recent years, we have faced the challenge of increasing fake news and misleading information posted and shared on social media. Measures on fake news crackdown have thus been adopted...
In recent years, we have faced an emerging challenge of fake news and misleading information posted and shared on social media. Measures on fake news crackdown have thus been adopted by State management bodies to stem the spread of misinformation.
According to Nguyen Van Hien, Chief Inspector, Khanh Hoa Department of Information & Communications, currently, Khanh Hoa has nearly 1 million subscribers of mobile phones with access to the Internet. Most of them are teenagers and adults who have accounts on social media.
In 2020, a lot of fake news was found and reported, mostly on anti-State and Communist Party propaganda; containing defamatory; violent or misleading information. Following the request of Khanh Hoa People’s Committee, Khanh Hoa Department of Information & Telecommunications has instructed divisions and agencies to boost inspection to tackle false news on social media. The Inspection Department, the Information - Press - Publishing Office is the core force coordinating with units under the Provincial Party Committee’s Commission of Propaganda & Training, the Provincial Public Security to regularly monitor, inspect and assess information on social media to promptly handle and prevent malicious and fake news.
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Since 2020, during the Covid-19 unprecedented outbreak, coronavirus misinformation has scared people and spread fear in the community, affecting life and work of many individuals and businesses.
Therefore, besides public orientation boost, the Department of Information & Telecommunications has cooperated with authorities to handle coronavirus misinformation about Covid-19. 17 cases of violation, including 5 subject to fines totaling VND32.5 million, have been reported and punished. Besides, warnings have been given to many others through social media and telephones by local authorities.
The legislation and human forces available have basically met the needs for monitoring and tackling harmful and misleading information. The important thing right now is how to use them effectively to stop the spread of misinformation.
Therefore, on August 12, 2020, Khanh Hoa People’s Committee issued the Decision No. 2086 on regulations on cooperation to deal with false or misleading information on the Internet. The application of the regulations have proved effective, especially shown in the third wave of Covid-19 outbreak. Offences have been promptly accessed and verified; and posts about misinformation have been forced to be removed before spreading.
A cyber security team for monitoring and dealing with misleading and harmful information on the Internet has been founded with 36 members who are public servants in the province. In 2021, the team focuses on monitoring and preventing misinformation risks related to the 13th National Communist Party Congress; elections of 15th National Assembly and People's Councils at all levels, term 2021-2026; Covid-19 pandemic and other news related to all aspects of social life.
Giang Dinh
Translated by N.T
