PHNOM PEHN: Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen yesterday said those spreading fake news about a coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) outbreak in the kingdom are considered “terrorists.”

Speaking at a university graduation ceremony in Phnom Penh, Sen called on the public to fight against those who spread false coronavirus information in the Kingdom.

“I will consider those ill-intentioned individuals who spread fake news as terrorists,” he said, adding that some individuals have falsely attributed the death of some people to Covid-19 when they had actually died of other diseases.

“I ask these people: What do you get from spreading fake news? Your acts only serve to frighten the public, including your family,” Sen said, emphasizing that no Cambodian citizen had contracted or died from Covid-19.

“Everyone, before panicking, should first get a medical check-up to know whether they are ill or not,” he said

He added that the public should be active in combating the spread of fake news in the Kingdom. “If they [people spreading fake news] say Cambodians have contracted the virus, you have to refute their false statement and post you are not ill.”

Political analyst Hang Vitou yesterday said he disagreed with the premier’s stance of calling those spreading fake news as “terrorists.”

“I disagree with how the Prime Minister has regarded them because I believe the people are well-informed about Covid-19 anyway,” he added.

Khmer Times