News server Deník.cz has reported on a regular summertime phenomenon in the Czech Republic, when the sun begins to bake and people head for the swimming pools - rumors are being spread by e-mail and social media that Romani people get free access to those facilities.
The report gives an example of one post: "The Labor Offices reimburse their clients receiving aid to those in material distress to take taxis to go shopping in the supermarkets, and they reimburse their entry to the swimming pools. That's right, the Roma are enjoying summer again."
Similar hoaxes have been disseminated for many years - as far back as 2010, residents of Havířov were spreading the absurdly false rumor that Romani people were getting free entry to the pool there.
This year such disinformation is again being disseminated in northern Bohemia. Martin Mata, director of the Municipal Services department of Ústí nad Labem, told the news server that: "Free entry for Romani people to our swimming pool is naturally nonsense, there is nothing of the kind in place."
"People spread these falsehoods in order to stir up negative emotions," Mata said.
