The UK’s media watchdog Ofcom has warned British media that they will sanction those who transmit information about COVID-19 that is not supported by scientific data, after the theory that 5G and the coronavirus were linked went viral.
A theory about the alleged dangers of 5G began to spread after an alternative medicine nurse gave an interview on a Sussex County community radio, Uckfield FM.
She indicated that the COVID-19 was created in a Chinese laboratory and that they used 5G technology to contaminate the population.
Additionally, the guest took the opportunity to discredit the UK health system stating that each person should carry out their research about the coronavirus and should not believe everything the mainstream media says.
“Just because you have this qualification, do not wear that like a crown of glory … The days are gone when you were a doctor and a nurse and everybody trusted you. Those days are well gone. Do your own research. Do not trust a qualification. I know many people who are very qualified who know very little. Because remember the people that own the establishments that teach us, it all travels back to the same thing. It’s all owned by big pharma. They own the medical elite and they determine what gets published,” the caller said.
The story quickly flooded WhatsApp, Facebook, and other social networks. The popularity of this theory has been such that it has expanded massively and has already reached the traditional media.
Even celebrities like Woody Harrelson have referenced it, saying on Instagram, “Alot of my friends have been talking about the negative effects of 5G My friend camilla seems [sic] this to me today and though I haven’t fully vetted it I find it very interesting”.
Ofcom has said that there is no evidence to verify the theory that 5G is related to COVID-19 and that the radio interview only worked to cause “collective hysteria”.
As a result, Ofcom ordered Uckfield FM to broadcast a public apology.
Additionally, the agency says it will strengthen media surveillance to ensure that they do not transmit this kind of information about the virus.
