The whole country currently has 705 commune-level administrative units (UAs) that do not meet standards. Recently, many information has appeared on social networks that localities are continuing to implement plans to merge and adjust UAs with specific numbers.
This information quickly attracted the attention of people, especially when presented in the form of documents with seals, signatures or appendices in the form of documents of state agencies.
The dissemination of documents and information that are not true easily leads to misunderstandings about the local policy, causing confusion and anxiety among officials, party members and people; causing information chaos.
On August 22, the Dong Thap Provincial Party Committee issued Official Dispatch No. 610-CV/TU on urgently reviewing and handling untrue information about the arrangement of commune-level administrative units in the province.
The official dispatch stated that currently, on cyberspace, the document "Presumptive project to arrange commune-level administrative units of Dong Thap province for the 2nd time" is being circulated, along with the information "The province is seeking people's opinions", causing mixed public opinion. Through review, this document was not issued by a competent authority of the province.
Faced with the above situation, the Standing Committee of the Provincial Party Committee assigned the Provincial Police Party Committee to lead the Provincial Police to preside over and urgently coordinate with relevant agencies and units to review, verify, and strictly handle according to regulations the sending and dissemination of documents and information that are not true as mentioned above, handle according to regulations, report progress and results to the Standing Committee of the Provincial Party Committee for consideration and comments.
The Provincial Propaganda and Mass Mobilization Committee strengthens direction, orients information, propaganda; monitors and grasps public opinion, promptly fights and refutes false information.
Also on August 22, Lam Dong Provincial Police warned that fake information related to the merger of commune-level administrative units in the province is currently appearing on social networks.
Previously, on August 19, many fake documents and appendices related to the arrangement of commune-level administrative units were shared on social networks. Information said that the whole province will continue to arrange and 52 commune-level administrative units are identified as fake.
Accordingly, there is currently no plan to continue merging communes and wards as the content is spreading on social networks.
Fake content is presented like administrative documents, using agency names, document numbers or creating appendices to create the feeling that this is a document issued by a competent authority. Some content also shows signs of using AI technology to create.
The spread of unverified information can cause confusion, affect people's lives and distort official information.
Faced with the above situation, functional agencies recommend that people should form the habit of "verifying before sharing".
When receiving information about the merger of communes and wards or changes in administrative boundaries, it is necessary to check on the Government's Electronic Information Portal, ministries, branches, localities and official press agencies.
Do not rush to believe or share documents that only appear on Facebook, TikTok, Zalo or personal pages and groups.
Previously, Ho Chi Minh City, Tay Ninh, Bac Ninh, and Lao Cai also denied the spreading information about continuing to arrange commune-level administrative units.
