The Malawi Police Service (MPS) has warned of spreading fake stories on social media.
In a statement signed by Police’s deputy spokesperson Harry Namwaza, the police has observed that there are some people who have a tendency of publishing fabricated stories on their social media pages in order to attack or defame others.
“People should be reminded that, apart from being a criminal offence, publishing false stories have harsh and long lasting effects, with negative outcomes on the victims,” read part of the statement.
According to Namwaza, the police has received several complaints people who are victims of fake news that got published on some social media platforms citing Malawi Voice as one of them.
“One of it being the one that was published on the page of the Malawi Voice on 31 March, 2022 that police officers in Lilongwe on the night of March 30, 2022, arrested two British nationals: Daud Sajid Sultan and Rayyan Ridhwaan Daud over hard drugs,” said Namwaza.
He continued; “ The MPS informs Malawians that Mr. Daud Sajid Sultan and Mr. Rayyan Ridhwaan Daud were not arrested by police on the night in question nor are they answering charges related to the same.”
Namwaza has therefore cautioned people to be careful when exercising their right to access to information, right to opinion and freedom of expression among others adding that when one is enjoying their rights must also be responsible.
“The MPS assures all concerned people who lodged complaints on the same that police are investigating and that culprits will be brought to book,” he concluded.
