Russia: Blogger arrested for spreading rumors of H1N1 "plague"

A 22-year-old medical student and blogger was arrested in Russia this week for "spreading rumors" about swine flu in the city of Saratov. He was charged with disseminating false information related to an act of terrorism. On Wednesday, he and other Russian bloggers discussed possibilities that authorities were concealing the extent of H1N1 fatalities and that the city may soon be quarantined. The next day, he was jailed.

• [Anonymous]

  He may be spreading misinformation in Russia but there is some truth in his words in regards to a story in Ukraine, which I believe neighbors Russia, where there is word about a pneumonic plague where millions have been infected and death toll climbing towards 9k. Yet, it’s a surprise to me there hasn’t been any official announcement by WHO and a single story mentioned by mainstream news. Peculiar how a small outbreak in Mexico of H1N1 ends up being all over the news within days and a much more severe strain with virtually no word about it has been going on since the beginning of November.

  http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2009-12/05/content_12592179.htm

  http://www.examiner.com/x-29228-LA-Health-Technology-Examiner~y2009m12d4-Swine-flu-cases-decline-in-US-as-H1N1-mutations-spread-and-Ukraine-flu-outbreak-victims-near-450

• [Daemon]

  Reminds me of the way most of the media reports that h1n1 more dangerous than any other random flu.

• [JonStewartMill]

  Censorship isn’t cool, but it could be argued that this is the modern-day equivalent of yelling “Fire!” in a crowded theater.

  • [dr80085]

    The effect of shouting ‘fire’ in a crowded space is emotional and instant. This could hardly be said for a blog updated hourly at most.

    With written material, it’s up to the reader to think for themselves, and then either take responsibility for following advice/rumour, or alternatively to present counter arguments. The main thing that makes blogs stand out against traditional media is the ability to active participate in discussion, so that in the end the communal consensus is broader, more subtle and closer to a truth than any of the individual contributions.

    But you do raise an interesting point – are (some) internety communications instant and public enough nowadays to cause emotional and instant panic? blogs, tweets, sms?

• [thequickbrownfox]

  Like the recent train bombing, expect more “terrorism” as part of Putin’s re-election campaign.

• [mechko]

  The sad part is that no one punishes the media corporations who caused half the world to be scared sick by H1N1, when in fact the death toll is pretty standard for a flu.

  But I agree, unless what he was saying was true (and he knew that it was true, not that it was true by some coincidence) that was like crying wolf. I believe that is a crime even in America.

• [Antinous / Moderator]

  it could be argued that this is the modern-day equivalent of yelling “Fire!” in a crowded theater.

  It could be more accurately argued that it’s a case of the fire inspector discussing the possibility of faulty wiring in a badly built theater in a country known for corruption and government suppression of information.

• [dainel]

  The fire inspector wasn’t just discussing it. He was announcing it over the PA in the same theather.

  And he isn’t a real fire inspector. Just someone playing at one. Maybe he believes that there was a fire risk. But when he goes to the real fire inspectors, none would believe him. Not finding satisfaction, he goes to make the announcement over the PA.

  “A fire has started in the basement. Fire engines are on the way to this theater right now. Why is the theater management keeping this secret? You should all leave.”

  Should he be stuffed in jail?

  Conflating H1N1 and pneumonic plague? Spraying disinfectant from helicopters? Sounds like those crazy bloggers who overhype all the little idiotic rumours. Is he really a medical students.