THE UK Government will meet with social media giants this week to “stem the further spread of falsehood and rumours" about the coronavirus outbreak.
The move comes after Russia's RIA-Novosti news agency claimed Boris Johnson would be put on a ventilator following his admission to hospital, citing a "source close to the leadership" of the NHS.
But the Prime Minister's spokesman declared: "That is disinformation. Our specialist government units have seen a rise in false and misleading narratives since the coronavirus pandemic started. It's vital that any disinformation is knocked down quickly."
He pointed out how UK ministers were continuing to work with social media companies to "press for further action to stem the further spread of falsehood and rumours".
Downing Street also criticised the "crazed conspiracy theory" that 5G masts spread coronavirus and warned that any vandals who destroyed them were putting lives at risk.
Later this week, Oliver Dowden, the Secretary of State for Digital and Media will speak to social media giants to emphasise the need to stop the spread of nonsense theories.
"You've seen reports of criminal vandalism against 5G masts; people need to understand that by destroying these masts they're actually putting lives at risk because these are masts that emergency responders rely upon," Mr Johnson’s spokesman added.
Celebrities have been accused of fanning the flames of the conspiracy theories.
Woody Harrelson, the American actor, and Jason Gardiner, the former Dancing On Ice judge, are among stars who have shared misinformation.
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