The dissemination of false information, in these times of stress related to the spread of the coronavirus, is severely punished. Eleven people, including four women, were arrested on Wednesday and Thursday evening by the judicial police elements of Casablanca, Rabat, Chefchaouen, Jerada, El Hajeb, Tiznit, Biougra and Meknes.
A repeat offender was arrested by the judicial police of El Jadida on Thursday for his alleged involvement in a case of public drunkenness. He is also suspected of threatening and participating in the production and dissemination of a video containing erroneous data about the new coronavirus pandemic.
The General Directorate of National Security (DGSN) has once again taken the field to denounce misleading publications accompanying certain videos and images, circulated on social networks, showing unconscious people on public roads.
Faced with the dizzying rise of fake news and rumors since the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic, the Moroccan authorities have never ceased to threaten to crack down according to the rigors of the law. A YouTuber, named "mi Naïma", was apprehended by the BNPJ and placed in custody for broadcasting erroneous content on her channel about the current crisis.
The spread of the coronavirus would have prompted the authorities to declare a state of emergency. In a statement, the Ministry of the Interior denied these allegations and called on citizens to remain calm and not succumb to panic.
The National Office of Electricity and Drinking Water (ONEE) strongly condemns the false allegations circulated about the measures it intends to take to deal with the problem of lack of rain and its use of reducing the supply period for drinking water.
Several audio recordings are circulating on social media, claiming that certain areas of Morocco have been placed in quarantine due to the spread of the coronavirus. While reassuring the population about the false nature of these audios, the Ministry of the Interior made some clarifications.
Information is circulating about a possible suspension of all wedding parties in Morocco, much to the dismay of families who have already incurred expenses.
Rumors about the shortened school holidays at the end of March, due to the Coronavirus, have been denied, through a statement from the Moroccan Ministry of National Education, Vocational Training, Higher Education and Scientific Research.
The rumors that two cases of coronavirus (Covid-19) would have been detected in Kenitra are false. The Ministry of Health denied, on Monday, through the voice of its provincial delegate of Kenitra, these "unfounded" information.
Rumors and fake news tend to undermine the security of Moroccans. This situation has worsened with the appearance of the coronavirus.
Lycée Lyautey is not immune to the campaign of rumors and misinformation about the coronavirus epidemic to sow panic among parents. Faced with this situation, the principal of Lycée Lyautey sent a letter to the parents and students of the school to call on them to "keep their cool and common sense".