Morocco intensifies crackdown on coronavirus fake news
The Moroccan government has adopted a draft law to fight fake news on social media and the internet and deter cyber criminality as authorities continue their crackdown on people who deliberately attempt at undermining public order on social media by sowing panic.
Dozens have been arrested in different cities including a 48-year-old woman known as Mi Naima who said in a youtube video that coronavirus does not exist and that she will continue life as usual shaking hands and kissing people.
Other arrests targeted people who intentionally sow panic among citizens inventing wrong news of the spread of the virus in their cities.
A Woman was arrested in Marrakech after she recorded an audio message on whatsapp saying that the city was under a lockdown and asking people not to visit.
In El Jadida, authorities arrested a citizen dressed in a medical gear filmed walking in the streets claiming to have the virus. He was filmed coughing at a woman who was passing by.
The government said the draft law against fake news comes at an appropriate moment as the country joins effort against the coronavirus outbreak.
The law is not meant to restrict the freedom of speech but rather to avert fake news and other forms of cybercrimes that aim at undermining public order.
