Two detained for fabricating rumour on '5 Covid deaths in a family' in UAE

Two individuals have been detained over the fabricated report about "five member of an Emirati family who purportedly died of Covid-19". It was aired on a UAE television channel.

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During the briefing on Tuesday, the public prosecution said the family does not exist.

"The incident that was broadcast on Abu Dhabi Sports Channel is false and fabricated. The family does not exist and the story is completely fictitious and made up," said Saif Al Dhaheri, the official spokesperson of the National Emergency Crisis and Disaster Management Authority (NCEMA).

Authorities immediately launched an investigation and necessary measures were taken in less than 48 hours, he added.

Counsellor Salem Al Zaabi, acting head of the Emergency Crisis and Disaster Prosecution, said: "The Public Prosecution will not tolerate anyone who carries out his or her duties in the media in an irresponsible manner and it will apply the law firmly and decisively."

The second defendant, the channel's correspondent, did not verify the information's authenticity with the authorities, Al Zaabi said. "He contradicted what was dictated by his professional work duties."

The public prosecutor ordered the immediate preventive detention of the defendants, pending investigation.

Al Dhaheri warned that all those who fail to follow the laws in disseminating and sharing Covid-19 information in the media and on social networking sites will be held accountable.

dhanusha@khaleejtimes.com