People are being urged to be careful about where they get their information from online following a rise in misinformation about 5G on social media in recent weeks.
Galway East TD Ciaran Cannon called for people to be wary about the sources of information online, in light of ‘utterly unfounded and quite dangerous’ theories claiming that COVID-19 is spread via 5G telecommunications masts.
He said that with the huge amount of information about the coronavirus circulating online, it can be difficult at times to distinguish reliable information from unreliable information.
“Just how unfounded and quite dangerous some of this so-called information can be is clearly illustrated by the stories doing the rounds about the potential for 5G telecommunications masts to actually spread the virus,” the Fine Gael TD said.
The Easter Weekend saw a surge in arson attacks on 5G masts, and Gardaí are investigating a incident involving a telecommunications mast in Donegal.
Minister Cannon said: “I condemn these incidents, which are downright criminal in nature, and I would strongly urge people to reject these theories and to bear in mind what the World Health Organisation and the European Commission has said that there is absolutely no link between the spread of the coronavirus and 5G.
“Social media can be a force for great good and we have seen this in the manner in which it has carried important public health notices from reputable sources and helped promote community work in the present crisis.
“Those who are subscribing to belief in the false information being circulated about 5G masts, however, are doing the truth no service and only adding unnecessarily to other people’s alarm.”
