[Wuhan Pneumonia] Singapore's Legislation Stops Rushing Rush Caused by Rumors

Politics

Written by: Ruimin Zhai

2020-02-15 22:04

The Wuhan pneumonia epidemic caused by the new coronavirus has continued to spread, with cases appearing in various places. As of the afternoon of February 15, a total of 67 and 18 confirmed cases were reported in neighboring Singapore and Taiwan, respectively, and the haze of Internet rumors was added to the epidemic. Under the same circumstances, face to face the situation of buying masks and toilet paper. However, the two places have cooperated with the law to punish rumors and the government has come forward to clarify that the market supply is as usual, and the tide of buying has eased.

In contrast, the outbreak of the Hong Kong epidemic has continued to see a surge in the purchase of all kinds of daily necessities and epidemic prevention supplies. Although the government has repeatedly come forward to clarify rumors of supply shortages, public panic still persists. Zhou Haoding, a member of the Legislative Council of the Democratic Alliance for the Betterment of Hong Kong (DAB), criticized that the government needs to make rapid and uninterrupted clarifications. It should also reflect on the epidemic and legislatively control the need to spread malicious information and fake news instead of letting loopholes persist.

On February 5th, goods such as paper towels, instant noodles, and rice from multiple supermarkets were snapped up by citizens. (Profile picture / Photo by Yu Junliang)

As of the afternoon of February 15, there were a total of 56 confirmed cases in Hong Kong. Panic buying has continued to occur under panic in the city. Up to masks and hand sanitizers, and daily necessities, such as toilet paper and food, have become the target. In addition to the panic of the epidemic, the reason was that the information on the shortage of materials was continuously circulating on various social media. There were many rumors that the supply of rice and toilet paper was suspended, causing the public to snap up, and even multiple supermarkets were Sold out.

The government has repeatedly clarified the tide of rush buying, indicating that it has communicated with major food suppliers. Food is currently available and there is no shortage of goods. The public is urged not to worry, but the situation of rush buying still exists. A review article published by Bloomberg stated that there had been signs of a "failed country" in Hong Kong, that the government could not provide protection for the people and basic daily needs, and that its legitimacy was also questioned. Facing the pneumonia epidemic in Wuhan, it has already met most of the above characteristics.

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Singapore's orange warning sparks panic, Lee Hsien Loong clarifies

"Bloomberg" social review also compares Singapore with Hong Kong. Singapore has more confirmed cases than Hong Kong. However, the methodical situation in Singapore is in sharp contrast to the mess in Hong Kong. On February 7, the Singapore government raised the epidemic alert level to the second highest orange, which was at the same level as during the SARS period in 2003. This caused panic among the citizens, and there was a surge of people buying groceries. Immediately after, Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong described the epidemic in Malay, Chinese, and English, and urged the public to treat it with normal care, instead of rushing to hoard necessities and giving others the opportunity to buy what they needed. Lee Hsien Loong also emphasized that Singapore has enough chai oil and salt, and toilet paper is also available in sufficient quantities. At present, it is necessary for the people of the whole country to be united and confident to succeed in controlling the epidemic as long as they are united.

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In addition, with regard to online rumors, Singapore has used the "Fake News Act" to curb the spread of misinformation, including forcing media and social networking sites to add government warnings to articles with "content containing lies" and investigating false reports. The government purchased another 5.2 million masks and distributed them to the public free of charge. At present, there is no continuous rush to buy goods on the market.

Taiwan investigates false information

Taiwan also has face-to-face purchases of masks and toilet paper. The Bureau of Investigation's Counterfeit Information Control Center responded quickly and investigated online information. It was found that false information about out-of-stock conditions caused by the shutdown of Chinese factories was circulating on social platforms. Investigate. According to Taiwanese legislation, spreading rumors and false information by means of communication can be sentenced to a maximum of 3 years in prison, with a certain degree of deterrence.

President of the Executive Yuan Su Zhenchang will also distribute the latest information on masks and toilet paper on the Facebook page daily, including calling on the public to "don't run to a pile of toilet paper at home to be moldy", and directly target the production of masks in Taiwan to ensure safety. Popular support.

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Hong Kong government has no legislation to control rumors

Member of the Democratic Alliance for the Betterment of Hong Kong, Mr. Zhou Haoding, bluntly stated that the Hong Kong government is helpless in the face of the rumors surrounding the epidemic. Compared with Singapore ’s online rumors last year, which could cause immediate harm to the community, it established a “fake news law” to regulate social networks. Misinformation has not yet been legislated in Hong Kong, and the response to clarification of the epidemic has been slow, which has caused the public to panic and generate a surge in buying. Zhou Haoding said for many years that he had proposed legislation to control deliberate rumors and fake news. The government should reflect on the need for legislation through this epidemic, and resolve to study the feasibility of legislation instead of leaving loopholes.

Regarding concerns that the Legislative Council would harm the freedom of speech and the press in Hong Kong, Zhou Haoding said that although the Basic Law grants relevant rights, it must also be subject to legal restrictions and must not condone the malicious release of malicious messages that cause harm to society. He also took the Defamation Ordinance as an example. It is illegal for anyone to post malicious remarks or false information in order to maliciously slander or slander others. Therefore, it is reasonable to use the balance between the law and the freedoms enjoyed by citizens.

Member of the Democratic Legislative Council of the Democratic Alliance for the Betterment of Hong Kong, Zhou Haoding, bluntly stated that the Hong Kong Government was helpless in the face of rumors surrounding the outbreak. (Profile picture)

Promote government to set up daily necessities information platform to provide credible information

In addition to legislative control, Zhou Haoding reiterated that the government should take the lead in setting up an information platform for epidemic prevention supplies and daily necessities, and invite major suppliers and retailers to regularly release the supply status of various types of goods, and provide the public with credible information to stabilize the public. However, the government considers To the principle of non-intervention in the free market, there has been no response to this suggestion. Zhou Haoding believes that at the critical moment of the epidemic, the government has a responsibility to issue credible information, not to do nothing.

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