Belarus mulls over punishment for spreading 'false information' online
The Belarusian government considers criminalizing the dissemination of false information on the Internet, including by an anonymous source, Prosecutor General Aliaksandr Kanyuk said on 6 June in Minsk. Both criminal and administrative punishment are being discussed. For example, spreading fake news may result in a hefty fine, reports BELTA. The Prosecutor General did not elaborate what government bodies or agencies take part in the discussion.
Kanyuk noted that media outlets must provide reliable content, while false information 'stirs up public opinion and entails unwelcome consequences.'
