People walk with face masks outside the Grand Palace in Bangkok on January 27, 2020. - AFP
BANGKOK (Bernama): Thailand's Digital Economy and Society Ministry said Thursday (Jan 30) that two Thai suspects were arrested and charged with spreading false news with regard to the latest novel coronavirus outbreak, Xinhua news agency reports.
"We have been closely monitoring news and speculation regarding the coronavirus outbreak on social and online media via the Anti-Fake News Centre Thailand to ensure that people receive only verified news and not cause panic among the public," said Minister Buddhipongse Punnakanta Thursday.
"We have also found out that there is plenty of false news in regards to the new coronavirus and are working with the Technology Crime Suppression Division (TCSD) to investigate and arrest the offenders," the minister said.
"For now, the TCSD has identified 15 sources of false news via social and online media," said Buddhipongse.
"After investigations, we found that six of those sources have violated sections of the Computer-related Crime Act 2560."
The Computer-related Crime Act 2560 stipulates uploading falsified information into a computer system which may affect national security, public safety or may cause public panic.
The minister added that two of six offenders had been arrested and charged.
"The other four offenders had no intention of causing harm on their part and were let go with a warning after signing a police report," Buddhipongse said. - Bernama
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