CASTRIES, St. Lucia--Prime Minister (PM) Allen Chastenet has said that cyber technology will be used to track down persons who spread fake news about coronavirus.
He spoke days after the dissemination of fake news asserting that St. Lucia had recorded a case of the virus.
The matter has been reported to the police for investigation.
“I am always concerned when people who claim to be St. Lucians engage in this kind of behaviour because ultimately what they are affecting is the reputation of our country,” the PM told reporters Tuesday.
He explained that a 24-hour line has been established so that individuals can seek verification before going public with any information.
“We have also made it so that it is non-political. We have allowed the [Chief Medical Officer – Ed.] CMO to be the key spokesperson on this issue,” Chastanet explained.
“I am asking everyone to please conform,” he stated.
According to the PM, there is already a heightened situation as a result of the global coronavirus spread and there is no need to add further fuel to the fire.
“It’s a very simple thing – one phone call to be able to verify the information one way or the other,” he asserted.
“As I indicated, we do have cyber technology that we will be using to try to track to the best of our ability, anybody who is in breach of that protocol,” Chastanet told reporters.
He made it clear that the intention was not to prevent individuals from saying anything against him or the government and its policies.
“This is specifically as it relates to the coronavirus,” he declared. ~ St. Lucia Times ~
