Fake news related to COVID-19 can be considered a crime

If “Fake News” leads to an economic panic among citizens, it can be classified as a crime that carries a penalty of up to 6 years in prison, for all the people who create and disseminate it

Guayaquil authorities warn their citizens about the false news about Covid-19 that circulates and is also disseminated on social networks. In recent days, a video that allegedly showed a collapse in a hospital north of the city went viral.

Experts report that the Comprehensive Organic Criminal Code (COIP) does not classify “false” news, however, there are other circumstances that can make it a crime. If “Fake News” leads to an economic panic, it can be considered a crime.

These false news are generally spread on social networks by different people, this can be considered as “illicit association”. The “Fake News” can have a political and economic purpose, for which, they can also carry a sentence of 6 years in prison for those who create and spread them.

The director of Risk Management in Guayaquil, Allan Hacay, commented that citizens should not be carried away by false news and should seek verified information and be responsible for it.

Hacay believes that Guayaquil is ready to continue improving or starting to regress and asked people to “reactivate responsibility” in the use of the mask and in respecting biosecurity measures. Until this Monday, October 19, 2020, Guayas confirmed 21,129 positive cases of Covid-19

Be the first to comment

Leave a Reply

Tu dirección de correo no será publicada.


*