Police dismiss viral Facebook post about kidnapping
'People must be wary of making accusations and posting pictures thereby circulating information which they have not verified' - SAPS
RICHARDS Bay SAPS have allayed fears of alleged reports of child abductions in Richards Bay after a post went viral on social media indicating children may have been kidnapped from the area.
SAPS Communication Officer, Captain Debbie Ferreira said no kidnapping cases have been opened at the station recently.
Ferreira urged members of the public not to circulate information on social media without first verifying the facts.
The post, which was shared on Facebook, indicated that a possible kidnapping was averted and a picture was posted of the woman believed to be involved in the incident.
‘We cannot verify the information of the post as we have received no report – but we urge people with small children to always keep a close watch over them when they are in public places.
‘People must also be wary of making accusations and posting pictures and circulating information which they have not verified,’ she said.
What the law says
SA law says that If you ‘like’ or ‘share’ a Facebook post which contains questionable information, you can face legal action for engaging in the ‘chain of publication’, and – in fact – just being tagged in a dodgy post can land you in trouble.
When using social media platforms it is important to remember that everyone who has contributed to the dissemination of defamatory content may be held liable for defamation.
This has serious implications for social media users who frequently share, like or retweet defamatory comments posted by others.
In today’s social media world, it has become easier and more rewarding than ever to share false information about a person or business.
Though online content is occasionally moderated for pornographic or other inappropriate elements, most content is unregulated for defamatory elements.
It’s important, therefore, that consumers, sharers, and potential victims better understand the landscape of online defamation.
(Note: This article is provided for informational purposes only and not for the purpose of providing legal advice. Sources: www.golegal.co.za / www.findlaw.com )
