Slander has been an age-old menace, but the rise of social media platforms has set off an unprecedented wave of baseless and malicious accusations, particularly tormenting the Moroccan and Maghrebian community in Quebec. The problem has escalated to such an extent that it has become a commonplace occurrence at the Superior Court of Quebec, which now handles dozens of slander cases involving members of these communities.
A recent case adjudicated by the Honorable Lukasz Granosik, J.C.S., on July 12, 2023, highlights this scourge. Adil Said Lamtiri, a respected attorney, was compelled to seek redress in the courts after being targeted by defamatory attacks on various social media platforms, including Facebook, YouTube, and TikTok.
The alleged author of these attacks, Hicham Jerando, was ordered by the court to remove all offensive postings and to cease any defamatory commentary related to Lamtiri. The interim injunction holds until January 12, 2024, and will be enforced regardless of a potential appeal.
This case is but one of many manifestations of an alarming phenomenon that has escalated since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Under the guise of fighting corruption in Morocco, several individuals have self-proclaimed themselves as defenders of justice and leveraged social media platforms to level unfounded accusations against members of the Moroccan and Maghrebian community in Quebec. These charges target not only individuals but also political officials, security forces, judges, ministers, and even the King of Morocco.
However, these claims, often devoid of evidence, primarily rely on hearsay and speculation. Individuals lacking proper legal or journalistic training, driven by various motives, have hastened to disseminate false information and propagate rumors, thereby fostering an atmosphere of suspicion and mistrust within the community.
This alarming trend raises serious questions about the ethics of social media and the need for stricter measures to safeguard individuals from slander. While Quebec courts are working tirelessly to resolve these cases, it is clear that a long-term solution must involve increased accountability on social media platforms and education in digital literacy.
Ultimately, it is imperative that members of the Moroccan and Maghrebian community in Quebec, and indeed all social media users, grasp the importance of verifying information before sharing it, and adhere to fundamental principles of honesty, respectability, and integrity. Only then can we hope to stem this unceasing tide of slander and misinformation threatening to erode the social fabric of our community.
Source: File number: 500-17-125595-234
