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Minister Michael Ring as they launch the COVID-19 Government Action Plan To Support The Community Response. Sam Boal; RollingNews.ie

Minister: 'Please stop putting messages up online that are frightening young and old'

The government is engaging with social media companies about the spread of misinformation.

SOCIAL MEDIA COMPANIES have a responsibility to stop the spread of misinformation, according to Minister for Rural and Community Development Michael Ring.

“This is a world problem now and those companies have a responsibility… this cannot continue, frightening people. These companies have a moral responsibility,” he said. 

It is understood that the government is engaging with social media companies about the spread of misinformation online.

Ring said these messages being forwarded on to people are upsetting people, particularly the elderly.

His message to the public: “Would you please stop putting messages up that are frightening young and old.”

“The amount of people that contacted me over the last week showing me this kind of stuff on social media and I’m sure you’ve all seen this, it’s not good. It’s not nice. And it’s not morally right.These companies have an obligation themselves, and I’m calling on these companies to monitor what’s going on on social media, and to take it down.”

The only people where messages should be coming from, in relation to this issue is the government, the HSE and the national media, said the minister. 

He urged people to “have respect for others”.

“Do not be frighten people – this is a very frightening time for people in Ireland, we don’t want people like you frightening people,” he said.

He assured older people that there is supports and help there for people, stating that the government, state agencies and voluntary organisations stand ready to help.

“Do not be afraid we are there to help… we will get through this,” said Ring.

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    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Owen Lynch
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    Aug 19th 2016, 5:14 PM

    Dublin Corpo have ordered a big whale barrow to help move it.

    491
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    Mute Jeni Moriarty
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    Aug 19th 2016, 5:16 PM

    Bahahaha i lol,d

    48
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    Mute Donal Martin
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    Aug 19th 2016, 6:30 PM

    Stealing that joke. Good man

    30
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    Mute Desmodromic
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    Aug 19th 2016, 7:21 PM

    Tis true, then they’re taking it to the whale weigh station!!

    58
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    Mute Free comment ratings
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    Aug 19th 2016, 8:01 PM

    You can steal a joke? Bahhahaha. I haven’t heard that since I was 5.

    16
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    Mute Tony Skillington
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    Aug 19th 2016, 9:59 PM

    Come on…lets go poke it with a stick..

    18
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    Mute John Mossy Naz Scales
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    Aug 20th 2016, 12:03 AM

    Cracking reply sir

    7
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    Mute Alan Kelly's Ego
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    Aug 19th 2016, 4:39 PM

    I failed to stay away from a beached whale in coppers one night. Take heed folks, it ain’t pretty

    442
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    Mute Andy Kennedy
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    Aug 19th 2016, 4:43 PM

    She probably feels the same way about you.

    321
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    Mute Suzie Sunshine
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    Aug 19th 2016, 4:50 PM

    Alan , I laughed at that. . Even though I probably shouldn’t have …

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    Mute Alan Kelly's Ego
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    Aug 19th 2016, 4:58 PM

    I have no doubt she did Andy. It turned into a very awkward situation for both of us. That’s why the warning must be heeded

    85
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    Mute Get Lost Eircodes
    Favourite Get Lost Eircodes
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    Aug 19th 2016, 5:27 PM

    ah no one of the Egyptian TV news anchors….RIP

    35
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    Mute Brian Farrell
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    Aug 19th 2016, 8:17 PM

    Did you lose your wedding ring.

    2
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    Mute Del Haven
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    Aug 19th 2016, 4:42 PM

    Risk of infection from everything these days. Away off and see the dead stinky whale if yis want.

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    Mute Paddy Byrne
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    Aug 19th 2016, 4:43 PM

    Your a fool.

    23
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    Mute Niall Lonergan
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    Aug 19th 2016, 4:48 PM

    *You’re

    129
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    Mute ray.farrelly
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    Aug 19th 2016, 5:13 PM

    Niall. Did you just on here to correct people.

    12
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    Mute Paddy Byrne
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    Aug 19th 2016, 5:42 PM

    Didn’t know this was english class. Nothing better to do than comment on peoples grammar?

    15
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    Mute Del Haven
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    Aug 19th 2016, 5:54 PM

    He was pointing out how foolish to make a grammatical error when calling someone a fool. People’s grammar is not the issue.

    90
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    Mute Brian Farrell
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    Aug 19th 2016, 8:19 PM

    Their there they’re.

    32
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    Mute Tony Skillington
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    Aug 21st 2016, 10:54 AM

    People’s grammar….

    1
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    Mute Danny G
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    Aug 19th 2016, 5:17 PM

    “Stay away from the whale if you don’t want to get Moby Dick!!”

    69
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    Mute Get Lost Eircodes
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    Aug 19th 2016, 5:26 PM

    Is Minke southsoider speak for Manky?

    41
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    Mute Agrippa
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    Aug 19th 2016, 8:26 PM

    “Warning, some viewers might find pics offensive” FFS nanny state in all its glory, look at the milennials, offended by their own shadow!

    31
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    Mute Neal not Neil
    Favourite Neal not Neil
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    Aug 20th 2016, 9:01 AM

    It’s just good manners. You cover your mouth when you cough and you do people the basic courtesy of warning them before you shove a picture of a corpse in front of them.

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    Mute Neal not Neil
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    Aug 20th 2016, 9:02 AM

    Also, The Journal is not a state.

    2
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    Mute Bondage Informer
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    Aug 19th 2016, 10:22 PM

    Death by plastic? Other dead whales have plastic trapped in their stomachs – plastic is a serious problem for the oceans.

    31
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    Mute Del Haven
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    Aug 19th 2016, 4:51 PM

    So close, Paddy.

    20
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    Mute Pat O'Brien
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    Aug 19th 2016, 6:14 PM

    Enjoy your fish and chips folks. The oceans have been well and truly raped. #theydiewedie

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    Mute Séamus Longshanks
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    Aug 19th 2016, 6:08 PM

    I am always amazed how officialdom gets all excited by something as common as a beached whale.

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    Mute David Lewis
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    Aug 19th 2016, 5:40 PM

    Brown Bread

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    Mute Mistur Haych
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    Aug 19th 2016, 11:34 PM

    Is that Mary Harney? Stay back lads, she’s only playing dead….

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    Mute Warren McAllister
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    Aug 19th 2016, 5:27 PM

    Hope DLRCOCO have seen this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Vmnq5dBF7Y

    7
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    Mute Jane Baird
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    Aug 20th 2016, 1:01 PM

    So sad at absolute lack of humanity evident. Appallingly insensitive.

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    Mute Brown Boots
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    Aug 19th 2016, 8:05 PM

    Tasty!

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    Mute Michelle Power
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    Aug 20th 2016, 8:55 AM
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    Mute Michelle Power
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    Aug 20th 2016, 8:57 AM
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    Mute brian magee
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    Aug 20th 2016, 9:36 AM

    Interesting to see all the gas build up that causes it to bloat and float

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