No citizen is allowed to post any update or share any forward related to coronavirus is FAKE

April 6: Inspite of repeated appeal by the government, fake news seems to be a regular feature in social media.  A viral message, claiming that the Disaster Management Act (DMA) has been implemented across the country, according to which nobody except the government can update and post coronavirus related information on social media, is false. The viral message further warns WhatsApp group admins to take note of this development, and to propagate the same. The message attempts to add credibility to its content by misquoting and misinterpreting an article by legal news website LiveLaw. The message carries LiveLaw’s link of the story.

According to LiveLaw’s report filed on March 31, the Central government had sought a direction from the Supreme Court to prohibit the publication of COVID-19 related news by news media, unless the facts are ascertained by the mechanism established by the government. But it is important to note that the Supreme Court refused to give any such directive in favour of the government.

The misleading viral message states:

“Dear All,
Mandate for All:

Tonight 12 ( midnight) onwards Disaster Management Act has been implemented across the country. According to this update, apart from the Govt department no other citizen is allowed to post any update or share any forward related to Corona virus and it being punishable offence.

Group Admins are requested to post the above update and inform the groups.
Please adhere this strictly.”

The government through a petition filed by Bhalla, sought that the SC give a direction that required print, online and electronic media not to publish or disseminate anything without ascertaining facts with the government. The excerpt of the petition, containing the reference to the Disaster Management Act, 2005. This section does not impose or invoke any provision of the Act, as being claimed by the message.

LiveLaw, whose reporting has been misquoted has also clarified and called out this misleading message. The website has written a separate article clarifying that their report does not corroborate the content of the message in any way. It is apparent that the LiveLawreport about these developments does not corroborate the fake news in any manner. Nevertheless, certain mischievous elements have misquoted the LiveLaw report along with the fake message to mislead gullible sections of the society.

Also Read LiveLaw: [Fake News Alert] News That No Person Apart From Govt Is Allowed To Share Or Post COVID-19 Updates Is False

The SC disallowed this petition, saying that it could not inhibit free discussion around the pandemic, but directed the media to refer to official versions of information available, as reported by the Committee for Protecting Journalists. Even the government, through the Press Information Bureau (PIB), has clarified that there is no restriction on reporting, or discussing on the novel coronavirus outbreak. Rather, messages/posts leading to panic is prohibited.

Msgs circulating on social media claiming-apart from Govt no citizen is allowed to post/forward update on #COVID19– is MISLEADING&FALSE#PIBFACTCHECK: Circulating unverified/false news leading to panic is prohibited. As responsible Citizens let's not circulate fake forwards (1/3) pic.twitter.com/JvPPzd25DR

— PIB Fact Check (@PIBFactCheck) April 2, 2020

In its twitter handle, PIB wrote, “Msgs circulating on social media claiming-apart from Govt no citizen is allowed to post/forward update on #COVID19– is MISLEADING&FALSE#PIBFACTCHECK: Circulating unverified/false news leading to panic is prohibited. As responsible Citizens let’s not circulate fake forwards (1/3).”

That means the state machinery will take action only when anyone circulates unverified/false news which leads to panic. Apart from that even the Supreme Court did not inhibit free discussion around the pandemic.