AfricaPress-Tanzania: AS the World Health Organisation (WHO) battles coronavirus and information tricking down on how to contain the disease in individual countries, every nation has set up strategies on how to avoid further spread and at the same time allow life to continue harmoniously.
This is the work of the government with its assigned ministry and professionals/experts and machineries to do so, not just anyone waking up and directing the public on what to do and what not to avoid.
Reinforcing this, the government has a spokesperson to inform and clarify any information to the public, not anyone else and this does not req uire compromise.
This is because informing and sharing information on any topic or issue must go w ith research and professional way of doing it, that is why the Prime Minister Kassim Majaliwa, has warned the public against publishing, forwarding or creating fake news and misinformation about the novel coronavirus in the country.
Of late there have been cases where some individuals and groups of people resort to the same social media to circulate unsubstantiated information, whose motive at the end of the day is to slur and cause unnecessary fear in the society.
This is a criminal offence that is punishable in any country. It is good that the Premier has provided the government’s stance on this that from now on, those reports will be provided by the Minister of Health, Community Development, Gender, Elderly and Children, and if necessary they will be provided by himself or by top government official(s) authorised to avoid confusion.
It is worth praise that the Premier has directed the Tanzania Communications Regulatory Authority (TCRA) to make followups on those who fabricate news through social media, and those found guilty of indulging in such acts to be dealt with under the relevant provisions of the law .
“ I am warning everyone against spreading baseless rumours and falsehood through mobile phones and social media platforms, which can create unnecessary panic and hardship to all around, they must all be monitored and measures were taken against them,” he cautioned.
This is because Tanzania can not be a country where every Tom, Dick and Harry is advising the public on a delicate health issue they know nothing about.
Those who usurp the government’s powers via the social media to share/spread unfounded and baseless information should know that such rumours (with no reliable source to back them up) have destructive consequences, which include the creation of conflict, victimization, and demoralizing citizens, who should be going about their businesses freely.
Rumours if not check ed according to Psychologists can also lead to depression, suicidal thoughts, eating disorders, anxiety and a host of other issues
It can also alienate friends, ruin reputations, and even lead to ostracizing behaviour.
