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{
    "id": 993103,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/993103/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 74,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Sen. (Dr. Mbito)",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 13225,
        "legal_name": "Michael Maling'a Mbito",
        "slug": "michael-malinga-mbito"
    },
    "content": "disseminate data that they know is inadequately verified, exaggerated and ardently written. This is dangerous and can lead to unnecessary panic and anxiety. It has been more than two months since this novel strain of COVID-19 pandemic popped up in Wuhan Town, China, and proceeded to spread to numerous countries across the world. As the virus spread, panic-raising information has continued to be propagated throughout social media, forcing technology platforms to grapple with what the World Health Organization (WHO) is calling “Infodemic”. Mr. Speaker, Sir, with more and more people searching online for information about the COVID-19 pandemic, they easily encounter a barrage of misleading and potentially dangerous, harmful information. WHO has warned that misinformation about COVID-19 has caused unnecessary stigmatization and discrimination across the world. Most of the posts provide a series of supposed tips about the virus, such as wrongly instructing people to hold their breath to gauge whether they have been infected and falsely suggesting that water, lemon and even alcohol consumption can kill the virus. Mr. Speaker, Sir, in Kenya, a person who publishes false and misleading information is liable upon conviction to a fine not exceeding Kshs5 million or two-years imprisonment or both under the Computer Misuse and Cybercrimes Act, 2018. There is an overriding need for the Government to remind the general public of the existence of this law and to employ its law enforcement agencies whenever there is a breach. Finally, Mr. Speaker, Sir, the Government must continue to educate the public on this pandemic and steps to be taken to be safe from it. The public as well must follow the measures put in place by the Government and not any other news from social media as regards novel COVID-19."
}