Jail and fine for spreading false news

Beware! sending or re-sending false news or rumours will prove to be costly with hundreds of rials and jail term.

A warning in this regard was sent across by Oman’s Public Prosecution following faking information from the metrological department.

According to report, fraudsters have created a false account of the department and made tweets that have created panic among citizens and residents alike.

Oman said on Friday that Cyclone Mekunu, which has wreaked havoc in the Yemeni island of Socotra, has intensified into category 2 as it approaches the southern part of the Sultanate.

“Sending or re-sending false news or rumors that would affect public order through various technical means is an offence punishable by imprisonment for a minimum period of three years and a fine of RO 3,000”, the Prosecution Department said.

Article 61 of the Omani Criminal Law already states that using telecommunication devices or any other means to send out incorrect messages fully knowing that they are incorrect, is punishable with not more than one year in jail or a fine of up to RO 1,000 or both.

Fake news normally refers to news, information, data and reports which is or are wholly or partly false. News can include stories, video and audio content.

All around the world, countries are grappling with how to deal with the spread of harmful content or misinformation in their nations.

Last year, Germany introduced a plan that fined social media platforms if they didn’t remove posts that included hate speech.

Malaysia is one of the first countries to implement a statewide ban on fake news that punishes the party that publishes the offending content.

Regulators from the Philippines had been debating how to deal with fake news in their own country, but said in February that banning fake news outright would be “unconstitutional.”

With the presence of social media that helps in circulating the news faster than ever before, the public and news agencies must work hand in hand and check facts and information before carrying the news further.