Asia’s governments struggle to crack down on virus rumours

Passengers wearing masks to safeguard their health in a Light Rail Transit train in Kuala Lumpur on Friday (Jan 31). Mounting anxiety surrounding the coronavirus epidemic has governments in Asia scrambling to tamp down on social media falsehoods that may fuel fear and lead to a breakdown in security or spread of dubious health information. - Reuters

SHANGHAI/SINGAPORE/HONG KONG/KUALA LUMPUR/BANGKOK: Mounting anxiety surrounding the coronavirus epidemic has governments in Asia scrambling to tamp down on social media falsehoods that may fuel fear and lead to a breakdown in security or spread of dubious health information.

With global cases touching 9,825 across as many 19 countries, theories and news -- mostly unverified -- have flourished online across the world. They range from miracle cures and prevention to racist tropes and big pharma conspiracy theories.