The Ho Chi Minh City Department of Information and Communications will use specialized software to combat fake news.

On the afternoon of March 14th, the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Information and Communications held a press conference to provide information regarding the dissemination of false and misleading information about Fahasa's operations, including misleading or fabricated images related to recruitment, sales, closure, and cessation of operations, which are currently circulating on social media.

As reported by SGGP newspaper, in recent days, information related to Ho Chi Minh City Book Publishing Joint Stock Company (Fahasa) has appeared online with advertisements claiming "bankruptcy, closure, cessation of operations, liquidation of all bookstores," accompanied by images of Fahasa bookstores. Not only Fahasa, but Ho Chi Minh City Book Street also faced a similar situation, with several Facebook accounts running ads featuring images of Ho Chi Minh City Book Street, revolving around closing stores due to declining sales and offering free books and financial stocks to people.

During a press conference on the afternoon of March 14th, Mr. Trinh Huu Anh, Head of the Publishing, Printing and Distribution Department of the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Information and Communications, stated that the Department had investigated and confirmed that the information was completely false. These were accounts impersonating Fahasa. Furthermore, using images of the Ho Chi Minh City Book Street to illustrate articles containing false information violates legal regulations.

Mr. Trinh Huu Anh, Head of Publishing, Printing and Distribution Department, Ho Chi Minh City Department of Information and Communications.

“This is the act of providing and sharing false, untrue, distorted, slanderous, and defamatory information on social media, affecting the reputation of agencies, organizations, and individuals; violating the prohibited acts on cybersecurity as stipulated in point d, clause 1, Article 8 of the 2018 Cybersecurity Law: False information causing public panic, causing damage to socio -economic activities, hindering the operation of state agencies or public officials, and infringing on the legitimate rights and interests of other agencies, organizations, and individuals. Specifically, it affects the image and reputation of Fahasa and the Ho Chi Minh City Book Street,” Mr. Trinh Huu Anh stated.

In the coming period, the Department of Information and Communications will continue to promote the use of the Social Beat software to compile accounts that engage in providing and sharing fake information, false information, distorted information, slander, defamation, and insults to the honor and dignity of others on social media, affecting the reputation of agencies, organizations, and the honor and dignity of individuals; and providing and sharing fabricated information that causes panic among the people.

In fact, Fahasa and Ho Chi Minh City Book Street are still operating well. The photo shows the nationwide book fair currently taking place on Ho Chi Minh City Book Street.

In addition, the Department will continue to coordinate with relevant authorities to monitor and identify those who commit these acts and will resolutely handle them according to the law.

"The Department of Information and Communications calls on every social media user to be vigilant and improve their skills in identifying fake news and misinformation; absolutely not to let false information affect their family and themselves," Mr. Trinh Huu Anh added.

According to Mr. Trinh Huu Anh, the Department of Information and Communications sympathizes with publishing units and hopes that they can rest assured that the department will always be there to support them during times like these to protect the rights of businesses in the publishing industry.

"In the context of a difficult economic situation, not only in the publishing industry, but also in other areas, destructive information and images have a significant impact and create misconceptions among the public and readers when accessing information related to publishing houses," said Mr. Trinh Huu Anh.

QUYNH YEN

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