Two detained in UAE for spreading fake news on COVID-19 deaths

Authorities in the UAE have called on media outlets to be more responsible while handling information related to the COVID-19 pandemic.

During a press briefing on Tuesday, officials highlighted the importance of verifying the authenticity of news stories and sources in order to avoid creating confusion among the public.

The reminder came in response to the recent fake news about the deaths of five members of a family from COVID-19.

Officials said the incident that was broadcast on Abu Dhabi Sports Channel is false and fabricated, and that the family does not even exist.

Salem Al Zaabi, Acting Head of the Federal Emergency Crisis and Disasters Prosecution revealed that the person who made up the story, as well as the channel's correspondent will remain under detention until the investigations are fully complete.

The Public Prosecution: 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 made up by the first accused individual.#CommitToWin

— NCEMA UAE (@NCEMAUAE) August 25, 2020

The Public Prosecution: The channel’s correspondent, who is the second accused individual, contradicted his professional work duties and did not contact the relevant authorities to verify the accuracy of the information provided to him.#CommitToWin

— NCEMA UAE (@NCEMAUAE) August 25, 2020

The Public Prosecution office immediately & expeditiously launched an investigation around the incident and is still conducting in-depth investigations to determine the legal responsibility and the perpetrators and to determine the facts that are likely to be behind the incident.

— NCEMA UAE (@NCEMAUAE) August 25, 2020

Authorities also added that anyone who spreads misinformation will be held legally accountable.

The Public Prosecution: Based on our legal authority and our transparent societal responsibility, we stress again that we will not allow any unnecessary upset to the tranquility of society and the safety of its members.#CommitToWin

— NCEMA UAE (@NCEMAUAE) August 25, 2020

The Public Prosecution: We call on every official in the media field to exercise responsibility when dealing with the topic of #Covid19, those in general and social media pioneers in particular, in order to preserve the efforts made by our leaders and their relevant authorities.

— NCEMA UAE (@NCEMAUAE) August 25, 2020