Laos warns against fake news, photos of dam collapse

July 29, 2018 | 21:40

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Lao authorities have warned that spreading fake news and photos of the dam collapse disaster in southern Laos violates the country’s laws.

laos warns against fake news photos of dam collapse

Many areas of Laos suffer from severe floods after the dam collapse (Photo: Xinhua/VNA)

A national ad hoc committee in charge of dealing with the disaster in Attapeu province released the warning after learning that some social media users both in Laos and abroad as well as media organisations had published reports containing many "incorrect" statements, online English-language newspaper Vientiane Times reported on July 29.

These fake reports had been issued since the disaster occurred on July 23, it said.

The committee called on everyone in Laos and other countries, media organisations and social media followers to pay attention only to accurate reports and photos published by the state-run media such as newspapers, national radio and TV, which regularly report on developments in the situation.

The committee warned that false reports and the sharing of fake news and photos about the flooding in Attapeu province as well as fake news and photos about weather condition and storms across the country violate Lao laws and regulations.

VNA

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