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Unverified messages shared in public interest do more harm than good

I welcome the UAE's decision to slap fines on people who spread rumours on social media (Spreading rumours in UAE could get you jailed, fined; KT, March 9). Such a directive should have been issued long ago. Social media is the biggest perpetrator of misinformation. WhatsApp university has been disseminating information without proper checks. People don't even know issues in hand, might not even have any relation with the health sector but they do not shy away from sharing their two-bit worth of information and opinion. I work in the health sector, and reality more often than not is way different than what is projected through social media. Acts of sharing information, especially unverified one, for the sake of likes on social media should be penalised.
- Muhammad Asim, KT website
. Public health comes first, especially now when the viral infection is spreading thick and fast and governments are denying entry to people from critical countries. Can you imagine the echo on Expo2020 in the UAE, if we cannot manage this emergency now? We must show that the UAE is a safe place where we can manage emergencies. No panic, please. And no, fearmongering through social media.
- Marcello Cappelletti, KT website