HIBAPRESS – Mohammed Zriouh
In unprecedented chaos, some social media pages in the city of Azghanghan, in the Nador province, have become a hub for the spread of terrifying and misleading rumors. The latest of these is the news that sparked terror in the hearts of citizens about an attempted kidnapping of a child in the area. These false news reports, which were widely circulated among internet users, have led many families to take unjustified precautionary measures, threatening the stability of society.
The details of the story, which was the focus of discussion on those pages, revolve around a person who was arrested by the security authorities after it was said that he had tried to kidnap a young girl. This story, which spread like wildfire among individuals, caused a group of minors to gather at the scene of the incident and collectively assault the accused person, believing that he had assaulted the girl. But things were much further from that.
After intensive investigations by the security authorities, and with the help of surveillance cameras spread throughout the area, it turned out that the detained person had nothing to do with the attempted kidnapping. Rather, it turned out that he was suffering from psychological problems, which made his presence in the area confusing. In light of these findings, it was decided to release him after confirming his innocence, but the tragedy was elsewhere.
The person, who was assaulted by the minors, was in real danger of his life. If it were not for the intervention of a citizen who happened to be present at the scene and managed to calm the situation, this person might have lost his life, especially since the assault continued for several minutes. This incident, despite its happy ending, showed the extent of the chaos caused by the false news.
In addition to this incident, the city of Azghanghan is experiencing a state of constant panic these days, as a result of the increase in rumors that affect it. Among them is what was circulated about the presence of gangs to steal children, which prompted many parents to impose restrictions on their children and fear going out into the street. But the truth is that these gangs are just an illusion, and that this news has no basis in truth.
Worst of all, some "influencers" on social media have begun to move between neighborhoods and public places in the city to document events, whether real or fabricated, which has contributed to spreading terror among people. These people, who do not hold any legal licenses to cover events or photograph individuals, continue to publish content that contributes to fueling strife.
The time has now come for real action from the competent authorities. It is necessary for the Public Prosecutor's Office and the security authorities to intervene urgently to put an end to this dangerous phenomenon. It has become clear that the continued publication of these rumors will only lead to increased chaos and destabilization of the city.
In conclusion, it remains for everyone to be cautious and aware in dealing with news on social media platforms. Verifying the accuracy of the news and reviewing it from reliable sources should be the basis in an era dominated by misinformation.
