Urban rumours and myths spread quickly in times of crisis and uncertainty, while a government that is slow to respond and perceived as not being transparent may exacerbate the problem, a sociologist said yesterday.
The warning came after police launched an investigation into a hacker who allegedly used the Chinese-language Ming Pao Daily Web site logo to write his own report on a Web page that Hong Kong was about to be declared an infected area.
His action sparked panic-buying at supermarkets and prompted Director of Health Margaret Chan Fung Fu-chun to call a press briefing yesterday to issue an official denial.
'Rumours and myths feed on crisis and fear, so when you have a public crisis, rumours that sound most plausible can quickly pick up a life of their own,'' said Chinese University sociologist Ting Kwok-fai.
Mr Ting said only timely and accurate information from reliable authorities could kill or slow down the spread of rumours.